Touring heel binding having a dynamic sliding region

ABSTRACT

A heel piece for a ski binding, particularly a touring ski binding, comprises a base element for installing the heel piece on the ski upper face and a slide mounted on the base element, on which slide is arranged a heel holder having at least one retaining means for retaining the heel of a ski boot. Said heel piece has a downhill position, in which the retaining means locks the ski boot in a lowered position. Said heel piece also has at least one uphill position, in which the heel region of the ski boot retained in the ski binding is released. In the downhill position, the slide can be moved together with the heel holder relative to the base element in the longitudinal direction of the ski.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to automatic heel units for a ski binding, inparticular a ski-touring binding, with a base element for mounting theautomatic heel units on the upper side of a ski and a carriage which ismounted on the base element and on which there is arranged a heel holderwith at least one holding means for holding a ski boot in a heel regionof the ski boot. These automatic heel units have a downhill position, inwhich the at least one holding means can interact with the heel regionof the ski boot held in the ski binding in such a way that the ski bootis arrested in a lowered position. Furthermore, these automatic heelunits have at least one climbing position, in which the heel region ofthe ski boot held in the ski binding is released.

PRIOR ART

With regard to their function, ski bindings can be subdivided intodownhill ski bindings, which are used only for skiing downhill andskiing on ski lifts, and touring bindings, which are also additionallyused for walking on skis, in particular for climbing with the aid ofclimbing skins fastened on the skis. While the former just have toensure reliable fixing of the ski boot on the ski in a so-calleddownhill position, the latter additionally have to be able for climbingpurposes to be moved from the downhill position into a climbingposition, in which the ski boot can be pivoted about an axis in thetransverse direction of the ski and can be lifted up from the ski in theheel region, in order to make an articulated movement between the skiboot and the ski possible for walking.

Ski-touring bindings in turn can be subdivided into two types. The onetype comprises a ski-boot carrier, which can be pivoted in relation tothe ski on which the ski boot is held by binding jaws. A representativeof this type of ski-touring bindings is described, for example, in EP 0754 079 B1 (Fritschi AG). The second type, on the other hand, is basedon ski boots with rigid soles. In the case of these ski-touringbindings, the ski boot is pivotably mounted in its toe region in anautomatic front unit fixedly mounted on the ski. The automatic heel unitis in this case likewise fixedly attached to the ski, at a distance fromthe automatic front unit that is adapted to a sole length of the skiboot, and in the downhill position arrests the ski boot in the heelregion. In the climbing position, the heel of the ski boot is releasedfrom the automatic heel unit, so that the ski boot can be lifted up fromthe ski and pivoted about the mounting on the automatic front unit. Skiboots that are suitable for this type of binding typically have for thispurpose two lateral clearances in the toe region for being pivotablysecured in the automatic front unit. Furthermore, they have in the heelregion rearwardly open clearances, in which holding means of theautomatic heel unit can engage.

It goes without saying that, in the case of this second type ofski-touring bindings, the distance from the automatic front unit atwhich the automatic heel unit has to be mounted on the ski is dictatedby the length of the sole of the ski boot to be held, within the limitsof adjustability of the automatic heel unit. The mentioned climbingposition, in which the heel of the ski boot is released, consequentlyalways relates to the downhill position in which the heel of the skiboot can be arrested in the same mounting position of the automatic heelunit.

For describing such binding systems, a (fictitious) ski is often used asa reference system, it being assumed that the binding is mounted on thisski. This custom is adopted in the present text. Thus, the expression“longitudinal direction of the ski” means along the alignment of thelongitudinal axis of the ski. Similarly, “parallel to the ski” means,for an elongated object, aligned along the longitudinal axis of the ski.For a planar object, by contrast, the expression “parallel to the ski”means aligned parallel to the sliding surface of the ski. Furthermore,the expression “transverse direction of the ski” is intended to mean adirection transverse to the longitudinal direction of the ski, althoughit need not necessarily be oriented precisely at right angles to thelongitudinal axis of the ski. Its alignment may also deviate slightlyfrom a right angle. The expression “center of the ski” in turn means acenter of the ski when seen in the transverse direction of the ski,while the expression “fixed to the ski” means non-movable in relation tothe ski. Moreover, it should be noted that expressions that do notcontain the word “ski” also refer to the reference system of the(fictitious) ski. Thus, the expressions “front/forward/forwardly”,“rear/rearward/rearwardly”, “top/above/upper/upward/upwardly”,“bottom/below/lower/downward/downwardly” and “lateral/laterally” relateto “front/forward/forwardly”, “rear/rearward/rearwardly”,“top/above/upper/upward/upwardly”,“bottom/below/lower/downward/downwardly” and “lateral/laterally” of theski. Equally, expressions such as “horizontal/horizontally” and“vertical/vertically” also relate to the ski, “horizontal/horizontally”meaning lying in a plane parallel to the ski and “vertical/vertically”meaning aligned perpendicularly to this plane.

A ski-touring binding of the second type, introduced above, is describedin EP 0 199 098 82 (Barthel) and is sold under the name Dynafit. Anautomatic front unit of this system has two clamping parts each with astud aligned in the transverse direction of the ski, which studs engagein clearances in the toe region of the ski boot from the sides when theski-touring binding is stepped into. As a result, the studs form a pivotbearing of the ski boot on which the ski boot can be pivoted withrespect to the ski.

An automatic heel unit of this system that is independent of theautomatic front unit has two pins arranged on a heel holder. In thedownhill position, these two pins are aligned forwardly toward theautomatic front unit, whereby they engage in clearances in the heel ofthe ski boot and can thereby arrest the ski boot in a position loweredtoward the ski. When the ski-touring binding is stepped into, the skiboot is first mounted in the automatic front unit. After that, the heelof the ski boot is lowered from above onto the pins of the heel holder.Since the clearances in the heel of the ski boot are largely open in thedownward direction, as a result the clearances are guided over the pins,whereupon the pins engage in detent recesses in the clearances forlocking.

In order to ensure a safety release in the forward direction, the twopins can be pressed apart against a spring force, whereby they can slideout of the detent recesses and the clearances and can release the heelof the ski boot in the upward direction. For this purpose, both pins areeach arranged on a lever, which is mounted on the heel holder pivotablyin a horizontal plane. Both levers are prestressed with a spring force,so that the two pins are pressed toward one another. By adjusting thespring force, the force that is required to make release in the forwarddirection possible can be predetermined. As a result, a safety releasein the forward direction is made possible.

By contrast with the safety release in the forward direction, for theintended stepping out from the binding, first the toe region of the skiboot is released from the automatic front unit. After that, the heel ofthe ski boot is pulled off from the pins of the automatic heel unit inthe forward direction.

An automatic heel unit according to EP 0 199 098 A2 (Barthel) can bebrought into a climbing position by the heel holder being turned by theskier about a vertical axis, until the two pins have been pivoted to theside out of the path of movement of the heel of the ski boot. In thiscase, the heel holder has a number of rotational positions in which thepins are pivoted out of the path of movement of the heel. Theseindividual rotational positions are respectively predetermined by aspring catch for arresting the heel holder. When the heel holder is inspecifically one of these rotational positions, the path of movement ofthe heel of the ski boot is free and the ski boot can be lowered towardthe ski. When, on the other hand, the heel holder is in another of therotational positions, a support arranged on the heel holder has beenrespectively pivoted into the path of movement of the heel of the skiboot at a certain distance from the ski. Each such support hinders theski boot from being lowered toward the ski at a different distance fromthe ski. Correspondingly, various climbing aids can be set bypositioning the heel holder in the various rotational positions.

Since, in the downhill position, the pins engage in the heel of the skiboot, the automatic heel unit cannot be brought directly from thedownhill position into one of the climbing positions. The turning of theheel holder about the vertical axis required for this can only beactuated when the ski boot has first been released completely from thebinding. Particularly in uncompacted deep snow and on steep terrain,this can lead to tricky situations, since, by contrast with the largesurface area of a ski, a ski boot offers the skier only little hold.

A further development of the automatic heel unit according to EP 0 199098 A2 (Barthel) is described in WO 2009/121187 A1 (G3 Genuine GuideGear Inc.). This further development likewise comprises a heel holderwith two forwardly directed pins, which, as described in EP 0 199 098 A2(Barthel), make a safety release in the forward direction possible. Bycontrast with the automatic heel unit according to EP 0 199 098 A2(Barthel), however, the automatic heel unit according to WO 2009/121187A1 (G3 Genuine Guide Gear Inc.) allows a change from the downhillposition into the climbing position without it first being necessary tostep completely out of the binding. In order to make this possible, theautomatic heel unit comprises a baseplate fixed to the ski and acarriage with a heel holder, the carriage being displaceable withrespect to the baseplate in the longitudinal direction of the ski by anadjusting lever. The carriage is comprised by a multipart housing, fromwhich the heel holder protrudes in the upward direction through a slotadapted to the displaceability. In the downhill position, the carriagehas been displaced into a forward position, whereby the pins can engagein the clearances in the heel of the ski boot. In the climbing position,on the other hand, the carriage has been displaced into a rearwardposition, whereby the pins cannot engage in the clearances in the heelof the ski boot and the heel of the ski boot is correspondinglyreleased. In order to provide climbing aids as in the case of theautomatic heel unit according to EP 0 199 098 A2 (Barthel), theautomatic heel unit according to WO 2009/121187 A1 (G3 Genuine GuideGear Inc.) comprises a number of supporting levers, which can be pivotedinto the path of movement of the ski boot sequentially from the rear tothe front.

Furthermore, the automatic heel unit according to WO 2009/121187 A1 (G3Genuine Guide Gear Inc.) comprises a ski brake. This ski brake has twoarms, which for activation can be pivoted out beyond the ski in thedownward direction. Furthermore, the ski brake has a tread spur. Bypressing this tread spur down, the arms of the ski brake can be pivotedagainst a spring force into an alignment substantially parallel to theski, whereby the ski brake is in a rest position. If in the downhillposition a ski boot is arrested in its heel region in the automatic heelunit, the tread spur has been pressed in the downward direction by thesole of the ski boot and the ski brake is in the rest position. In theevent of a fall of the skier, in which a safety release is triggered,the ski brake is automatically activated by the spring force, since thetread spur is no longer pressed in a downward direction by the sole ofthe ski boot. When the automatic heel unit is transferred into theclimbing position, in the case of the automatic heel unit according toWO 2009/121187 A1 (G3 Genuine Guide Gear Inc.) the carriage is moved inthe rearward direction. As a result, a hook in a front region of thehousing that can hook into the tread spur and hold it securely in alower position is released. Correspondingly, in the climbing position,the ski brake can be kept in the rest position by this hook, without thesole of the ski boot pressing the tread spur in the downward direction.

Consequently, the automatic heel unit according to WO 2009/121187 A1 (G3Genuine Guide Gear Inc.) has improved handling in comparison with theautomatic heel unit according to EP 0 199 098 A2 (Barthel). However, onaccount of having a large number of individual parts, the automatic heelunit is quite heavy and of a complex structural design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide an automatic heel unitbelonging to the technical field mentioned at the beginning thatincreases the safety for a skier.

The solution by which the object is achieved is defined by the featuresof claim 1. According to the invention, in the downhill position, thecarriage with the heel holder is movable with respect to the baseelement in the longitudinal direction of the ski along a dynamic region.

The term “longitudinal direction of the ski” should be understood hereas meaning a direction which, though it runs substantially parallel tothe longitudinal axis of the ski, may also have a deviation of a fewdegrees from an alignment parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ski.From the rear to the front as seen from the longitudinal axis of theski, this deviation may run both laterally and in the upward or downwarddirection. Furthermore, the term “base element” should be understood asmeaning an element which can be mounted on a ski such that it is fixedto the ski. It may be, for example, a baseplate, on which the remainingautomatic heel unit can be mounted. It may, however, also be an elementshaped in some way other than in the form of a plate. For example, itmay be formed as a rail or in the manner of a block. It may, however,also have a plate-shaped region and comprise one or more supports.

The dynamic region along which the carriage is movable with respect tothe base element may be both straight and of a curved form. Furthermore,the dynamic region may be limited in the forward and rearward directionsby a stop, by which the carriage is stopped and hindered in its furtherfreedom of movement. In this case, the stop may be arranged on thecarriage, on the base element or on another part of the automatic heelunit. Moreover, the stop may have two or more interacting elements,which are arranged on the carriage, on the base element and/or onanother part of the automatic heel unit. The limitation of the dynamicregion by such a stop may be advantageous if the carriage is for examplemounted in a linear guide. In this case, it can be prevented that thecarriage can come away unintentionally from the guide. As a variant ofthis, however, there is also the possibility that the dynamic region isnot limited by a stop or is only limited in the forward or rearwarddirection by a stop.

The solution has the advantage that, in the downhill position, theposition of the heel holder in relation to the heel of the ski boot canbe dynamically adapted by the carriage being moved together with theheel holder along the dynamic path. This makes it possible during skiingfor changes in distance between the automatic front unit and theautomatic heel unit that are caused by flexing of the ski during skiingto be constantly compensated. Correspondingly, the automatic heel unitmakes it possible that the heel holder constantly maintains the samedistance from the heel of the ski boot during skiing. This allows theholding means to interact in constantly the same way with the heel ofthe ski boot and to keep the ski boot arrested in the lowered position.This produces a starting position for a safety release in the forwarddirection that is as identical as possible in the various situationsthat occur during skiing. Correspondingly, deviations from the presetforce that has be overcome for a safety release in the forward directionare minimized and the safety of the skier is increased. It is of nomatter in this respect whether the at least one holding means consistsof two substantially forwardly directed pins, as described in the priorart, or whether the at least one holding means is formed in some otherway.

As is customary with the relevant type of ski-touring bindings, theautomatic heel unit according to the invention can be mounted on a skiindependently of an automatic front unit. In particular, the arrestingand the release of the heel of the ski boot that are provided in anadvantageous way by the automatic heel unit are largely independent ofthe actual configuration of the automatic front unit. The automatic heelunit can consequently also be used in conjunction with known automaticfront units of the binding systems described at the beginning. However,it is also conceivable to use the automatic heel unit in conjunctionwith other binding systems in which the heel of the ski boot can belifted off from the ski. Thus, the ski boot can for example be fixed inthe toe/ball region to an automatic front unit, the ski boot beingformed elastically in the ball region. This is the case for example withTelemark bindings. In general, however, it is recommendable to use theautomatic heel unit in conjunction with an automatic front unit made tomatch it, in order to ensure optimum functionality of the binding systemas a whole.

In a preferred embodiment, the automatic heel unit for a ski binding, inparticular a ski-touring binding, comprises a base element for mountingthe automatic heel unit on the upper side of a ski and a carriage whichis mounted on the base element and on which there is arranged a heelholder with at least one holding means for holding a ski boot in a heelregion of the ski boot. In this case, the automatic heel unit preferablyhas a downhill position, in which the at least one holding means caninteract with the heel region of the ski boot held in the ski bindingand thereby arrest the ski boot in a lowered position. Furthermore, theautomatic heel unit advantageously has at least one climbing position,in which the heel region of the ski boot held in the ski binding isreleased. It is preferred in this case that, in the downhill position,the carriage with the heel holder is movable with respect to the baseelement in a guided manner in the longitudinal direction of the ski by alinear guide along a dynamic region. How the at least one holding meansfor holding the ski boot is formed is not prescribed. For example, twopins may be concerned, as known from the prior art described above.However, one or more holding means of any other kind may also beconcerned. Furthermore, it is not prescribed how exactly the linearguide is formed. For example, it may be a rail-like guide. In this case,the guide may comprise one or more rails in which one or more guidingelements are movable. The rails may in this case be arranged both on thecarriage and on the base element, while the guiding elements arerespectively arranged on the other part. In this case, the guidingelements may be formed as sliding elements or be provided with a rollerbearing or ball bearing. As a further possibility, the linear guide may,however, also be formed by a ram guided in a corresponding cylinder. Aconfiguration in which the linear guide is formed by one or more leversmounted pivotably at their ends on the carriage and the base element isalso conceivable. It goes without saying that in the case of all thesevariants there is the possibility that an intermediate piece is arrangedbetween the carriage and the base element, the base element and/or thecarriage being mounted movably on the intermediate piece or arrangedfixedly on the intermediate piece.

However, preferred embodiments of the automatic heel unit may also beformed in some other way. It is shown hereafter on the basis ofadvantageous features how such other preferred embodiments may beformed. However, it goes without saying that the aforementioned,preferred embodiment may also comprise one or more of these advantageousfeatures.

Preferably, in the downhill position, the carriage is acted upon by anelastic element with a forwardly directed force and is pressed in thedirection of a front end of the dynamic region. This elastic element maybe, for example, a spring or an element formed in some other way withelastic properties. The elastic element can in this case exert acompressive force or tensile force on the carriage. Moreover, theelastic element may also comprise a number of elastic elements that arearranged one next to the other or one after the other. Independently ofthe actual configuration of the elastic element, the fact that thecarriage is subjected to the forwardly directed force has the advantagethat changes in distance between the automatic front unit and theautomatic heel unit that are caused by the flexing of the ski duringskiing can be optimally compensated. Since the carriage with the heelholder is pressed by the force against the heel of the ski boot, aposition of the carriage and of the heel holder thereby always adaptsitself to the heel of the ski boot. Correspondingly, it is sufficient ifthe at least one holding means can interact with the heel of the skiboot in such a way that the ski boot is hindered from a lateral pivotingmovement and a pivoting movement in the upward direction. The at leastone holding means need not in this case keep the heel holder at anidentical distance from the heel of the ski boot and move the heelholder together with the carriage along the dynamic path when there arechanges in distance between the automatic front unit and the automaticheel unit. Therefore, the elastic element and the resultant forwardlydirected force on the carriage reduce the requirements that have to bemet by the at least one holding means. Correspondingly, the at least oneholding means can be optimized more easily to make an optimallycontrolled safety release possible.

As an alternative to this, however, there is also the possibility thatthe carriage is not acted upon by an elastic element with a forwardlydirected force.

If, in the downhill position, the carriage is acted upon by an elasticelement with a downwardly directed force and is pressed in the directionof the front end of the dynamic region, the automatic heel unitpreferably comprises a stop that forms the front end of the dynamicregion by hindering the carriage from further movement in the forwarddirection with respect to the base element. In this case, the stop maybe positioned in such a way that the carriage is pressed against thestop by the elastic element. However, the stop may also be positioned insuch a way that the carriage is acted upon by the elastic element with aforwardly directed force within the dynamic region and is specificallyno longer subjected to this force when it is positioned at the stop.

As a variant of this, there is also the possibility that the automaticheel unit does not have a stop that forms the front end of the dynamicregion. For example, the carriage may also be acted upon by an elasticelement with a forwardly directed force within the dynamic region, thecarriage being pushed or pulled rearward into the dynamic region if itis moved out forward beyond the dynamic region. In this case, theelastic element may be, for example, a spring that pulls the carriageforward within the dynamic region. If in this example the carriage ismoved forward beyond the dynamic region, it is pushed back into thedynamic region by the spring. Correspondingly, in this example theposition of the carriage in which the spring is not under stress formsthe front end of the dynamic region.

Preferably, in the downhill position, the automatic heel unit makes asafety release in the forward direction possible. This has the advantagethat the safety for the skier is increased. However, there is also thepossibility that the automatic heel unit does not make a safety releasein the forward direction possible.

In a preferred variant, in the downhill position, the automatic heelunit does not make a safety release horizontally in the transversedirection of the ski possible. If, for example, the automatic heel unitis a component part of a ski-touring binding with an automatic frontunit, in which the automatic front unit makes a safety releasehorizontally in the transverse direction of the ski possible, thisfirstly has the advantage that the automatic heel unit can be producedin a lighter, simpler and consequently lower-cost form. This secondlyhas the advantage that the safety for the skier is increased, sincethere is a lower risk of erroneous lateral release if the safety releasehorizontally in the transverse direction of the ski is made possible bythe automatic front unit. This is because lateral impacts and forceeffects, when seen in the longitudinal direction of the ski, duringskiing primarily occur in a region of the skier's shinbone, which iscloser to the automatic heel unit than to the automatic front unit.

In a further, preferred variant, in the downhill position, the automaticheel unit makes a safety release horizontally in the transversedirection of the ski possible. This has the advantage that the safetyfor the skier is increased if, for example, the automatic heel unit is acomponent part of a ski-touring binding with an automatic front unit inwhich the automatic front unit does not make a safety releasehorizontally in the transverse direction of the ski possible.

With preference, the automatic heel unit comprises at least one holdingelement that is mounted on the heel holder rotatably about an axisaligned substantially in the longitudinal direction of the ski, the atleast one holding means being arranged on the at least one holdingelement at a distance from a straight line defined by the axis alignedsubstantially in the longitudinal direction of the ski, and as a resultis pivotable substantially in the transverse direction of the ski aboutthe axis aligned substantially in the longitudinal direction of the ski.In this case, the axis aligned substantially in the longitudinaldirection of the ski may be both aligned exactly parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the ski or else deviate a few degrees from analignment parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ski. Both have theadvantage that, when there is a pivoting movement of the at least oneholding element, an extension of the at least one holding means in thelongitudinal direction of the ski is substantially maintained. As aresult, the interaction of the at least one holding means with the heelof the ski boot during a pivoting movement of the at least one holdingelement can also be controlled better. If such a pivoting movement ofthe at least one holding element is required for the carrying out of asafety release in the forward direction, better control of a safetyrelease in the forward direction is also correspondingly made possibleas a result.

Such a holding element represents a second aspect of the solution bywhich the object is achieved that is possible independently of the firstsolution by which the object is achieved. A corresponding secondsolution by which the object is achieved preferably concerns anautomatic heel unit for a ski binding with a heel holder with at leastone holding means for holding a ski boot in a heel region of the skiboot, the automatic heel unit comprising at least one holding elementthat is mounted on the heel holder rotatably about an axis alignedsubstantially in the longitudinal direction of the ski, the at least oneholding means being arranged on the at least one holding element suchthat it is at a distance from a straight line defined by the axisaligned substantially in the longitudinal direction of the ski, and as aresult is pivotable substantially in the transverse direction of the skiabout the axis aligned substantially in the longitudinal direction ofthe ski. In this case, the axis aligned substantially in thelongitudinal direction of the ski may be both aligned exactly parallelto the longitudinal axis of the ski or else deviate a few degrees froman alignment parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ski. Both have theadvantage that, when there is a pivoting movement of the at least oneholding element, an extension of the at least one holding means in thelongitudinal direction of the ski is substantially maintained. As aresult, the interaction of the at least one holding means with the heelof the ski boot during a pivoting movement of the at least one holdingelement can also be controlled better. If such a pivoting movement ofthe at least one holding element is required for the carrying out of asafety release in the forward direction, better control of a safetyrelease in the forward direction is also correspondingly made possibleas a result.

The preferred, special embodiments described hereafter, which describethe at least one holding element and/or the at least one holding meansin more detail, are possible preferred, special embodiments both of anautomatic heel unit belonging to the first solution by which the objectis achieved and belonging to the second solution by which the object isachieved. It should be noted here that these preferred, specialembodiments that are described hereafter are also possible for a furthervariant of an automatic heel unit according to the first solution.According to this variant, instead of the at least one holding elementwith the axis aligned substantially in the longitudinal direction of theski, the automatic heel unit may comprise at least one holding elementon which the at least one holding means is arranged, the at least oneholding element being pivotable about an axis aligned substantially inthe transverse direction of the ski.

In this case, the axis aligned substantially in the transverse directionof the ski may be aligned not only vertically or horizontally, but alsoat any angle in between.

As a further variant, an automatic heel unit according to the firstsolution by which the object is achieved may, however, also not have anyof the holding elements described above, but only at least one holdingmeans.

If the automatic heel unit comprises at least one holding element, theat least one holding element and the at least one holding means arepreferably produced from metal. This has the advantage that a highstrength of the at least one holding element and of the at least oneholding means can be achieved. However, there is also the possibilitythat, for example, only the at least one holding means or only the atleast one holding element is produced from metal.

If, on the other hand, the automatic heel unit does not comprise aholding element, but only at least one holding means, this at least oneholding means is preferably produced from metal.

As an alternative to these variants, there is also the possibility thatthe at least one holding means and/or, if present, the at least oneholding element is produced from another material, such as for exampleplastic or carbon.

If the automatic heel unit comprises one holding element, the holdingelement is advantageously produced in one piece with the at least oneholding means. If, on the other hand, the automatic heel unit comprisesa number of holding elements, these holding elements are preferably eachproduced in one piece with at least one holding means. This has theadvantage that an optimum stability of the at least one holding elementand the at least one holding means is achieved.

As a variant of this, however, there is also the possibility that the atleast one holding element and the at least one holding means areproduced as separate parts. In this case, the at least one holding meansmay for example be able to be screwed to the at least one holdingelement. For this purpose, the at least one holding means may forexample have a thread and the at least one holding element may have acorresponding counter-thread. However, there is also the possibilitythat the at least one holding means can be screwed to the correspondingat least one holding element by at least one separate screw. As afurther possibility, however, the at least one holding means may also beconnected to the corresponding at least one holding element by aplugged-in, riveted, glued or welded connection.

With preference, the automatic heel unit comprises at least two holdingelements, on each of which at least one holding means is arranged. Thishas the advantage that the load that the holding elements and theholding means have to withstand is distributed among a number ofstructural parts. This also has the advantage that the automatic heelunit can, for example, make a safety release possible by a movement ofthe holding means in relation to one another. Thus, for example,arrestment of the heel of the ski boot brought about by the holdingmeans may be releasable by the holding means of the various holdingelements being moved toward one another or away from one another by themovement of the holding elements.

However, there is also the possibility that the automatic heel unit hasat least one holding means and does not comprise any holding element orcomprises only one holding element.

If the automatic heel unit comprises at least two holding elements, theholding elements are preferably arranged on the heel holder one next tothe other in the transverse direction of the ski. Since, in the event ofthe safety release in the forward direction, the heel region of the skiboot is lifted up out of the automatic heel unit, such an arrangement ofthe holding elements has the advantage that a movement of the holdingmeans of the various holding elements in relation to one anothersubstantially in the horizontal direction, and consequentlyperpendicularly to the direction of movement of the heel region of theski boot, can take place. In this case, the freedom of movement of theholding means in the vertical direction may be greatly or entirelyrestricted. This has the advantage that the heel region of the ski bootcan be arrested against a movement in the vertical direction in a simpleway, which is advantageous for the sensation that is experienced whenskiing. Moreover, at the same time a safety release in the forwarddirection, in which the arrestment of the heel region of the ski boot isreleased by a movement of the holding means in relation to one another,can be made possible.

As a variant of this, however, there is also the possibility that theholding elements are arranged on the heel holder one above the other, orobliquely one above the other, in the vertical direction. The lattervariant may be advantageous in particular whenever the automatic heelunit comprises more than two holding elements, since the holdingelements can be arranged on the heel holder in a space-saving manner.

If the automatic heel unit comprises at least two holding elements withsubstantially horizontally aligned axes, the holding elements preferablyhave an elongated, lever-like form and are mounted on the heel holdersuch that they are aligned substantially vertically. In this case, theaxes of the holding elements may be aligned substantially in thelongitudinal direction of the ski. However, there is also thepossibility that the axes of the holding elements are alignedhorizontally in the transverse direction of the ski or horizontally atan angle to the longitudinal direction of the ski. In all three cases,the lever-like form of the holding elements firstly has the advantagethat the at least one holding means can be arranged on the holdingelements in a space-saving manner, at the greatest possible distancefrom the axes of the holding elements. Correspondingly, the holdingmeans can cover a comparatively great distance when there is a smallangular movement of the holding elements, this distance being maximizedas much as possible by the holding elements being aligned substantiallyperpendicularly to the axis of the holding elements. Secondly, thelever-like form of the holding elements has the advantage that theholding elements can be arranged on the heel holder in a space-savingmanner. This produces the further advantage that an entire triggeringmechanism that makes a safety release possible can be arranged in or onthe heel holder in a space-saving manner.

As a variant of this, the holding elements of an elongated, lever-likeform may also be arranged on the heel holder in a differently alignedmanner. Moreover, there is also the possibility that the holdingelements are of a different form.

If the automatic heel unit comprises at least two elongated holdingelements of a lever-like form, with axes aligned substantially in thelongitudinal direction of the ski, the holding means are preferablyrespectively arranged in a first region at a first end of the holdingelements and the axes of the holding elements that are alignedsubstantially in the longitudinal direction of the ski are respectivelyarranged in a middle region of the holding elements. Moreover, theholding elements preferably respectively have a second region at asecond end of the holding elements, the second region being respectivelyarranged on a side of the middle region that is opposite from the firstregion. This has the advantage that a force can be respectively appliedto the second region of a holding element, this force being reversedabout the axis to act in the opposite direction on the first region ofthe corresponding holding element. Since the holding means are arrangedin the first region of the holding elements, a force can consequently beapplied to the holding elements at some distance from the holding meansand be transferred to the holding means. In this case, the effect of theforce is transferred to the holding means in an efficient way in spiteof the distance.

As an alternative to this, the holding elements may, however, also beformed in some other way.

Advantageously, the automatic heel unit comprises precisely two holdingelements, on each of which a holding means is arranged. This has theadvantage that the load that the holding elements and the holding meanshave to withstand is distributed among a number of structural parts.This also has the advantage that an arrestment of the heel of the skiboot can be achieved in a simple way by the holding means. For thispurpose, the two holding means may for example be pressed toward oneanother or away from one another by a prestressing of the holdingelements. This makes it possible, for example, for arresting to takeplace by clamping. However, this also makes it possible, for example,for arresting to take place by the two holding means each holding oneanother in place in or on a corresponding clearance or else in acorresponding detent recess. Such types of arrestment have the advantagethat a safety release in which the heel region of the ski boot isreleased by a relative movement of the holding means can be madepossible in a simple way.

However, there is also the possibility that the automatic heel unitcomprises more than one holding means per holding element. There is alsothe possibility that the automatic heel unit comprises no holdingelements, one holding element or more than two holding elements.

If the automatic heel unit comprises two holding elements, each with afirst, second and a middle region, axes that are aligned substantiallyin the longitudinal direction of the ski being respectively arranged inthe middle region, the automatic heel unit thus preferably comprises aram, which can interact with the second regions of the holding elementsand which can be subjected to a force applied by an elastic element, sothat a torque acting on the holding elements can be produced. Since thetwo holding elements are mounted pivotably about the axes aligned in thelongitudinal direction of the ski in its middle region, this has theadvantage that the force with which the ram acts on the holding elementsis approximately equal to the force to which the holding means arrangedin the first region are subjected.

Consequently, a force transfer from the ram to the holding means is madepossible by the holding elements, the ram being able however to interactwith the holding elements at a distance from the holding means.

As a variant of this, however, there is also the possibility that theram does not interact with the holding elements in the second region ofthe holding elements but in the first region of the holding elements.

As a further variant, the automatic heel unit may also comprise morethan one ram or else one or more other element(s) as a ram, by which theholding elements can be subjected to a corresponding force. Moreover,the automatic heel unit may also comprise more than one elastic element,by which the ram or rams or the other element or elements can besubjected to the corresponding force. In this case, it is also possiblefor more than one elastic elements to be provided per ram or per otherelement.

If the automatic heel unit comprises a ram and two holding elements,each with a first, a second and a middle region, axes that are alignedsubstantially in the longitudinal direction of the ski beingrespectively arranged in the middle region, the ram preferably pressesthe second regions of the holding elements apart, whereby the holdingmeans are pressed toward one another. This has the advantage that bothholding elements can each be subjected to a force by a single ram, thetwo forces acting substantially in opposite directions.

As a variant of this, however, there is also the possibility that theram presses the two second regions of the holding elements together,whereby the holding means are pressed apart. This likewise has theadvantage that both holding elements can each be subjected to a force bya single ram, the two forces acting substantially in oppositedirections.

Both variants make possible, for example, an arrestment of the heelregion of the ski boot by clamping. However, both also make possible anarrestment of the heel region of the ski boot in which the two holdingmeans each hold one another in place in or on a corresponding clearanceor else in a corresponding detent recess in the heel region of the skiboot.

Both variants can be modified by, for example, instead of the ram, thesecond regions of the two holding means being connected to one anotherdirectly by an elastic element. In the first variant, this elasticelement may be formed in such a way that the two second regions arepressed apart by a prestressing. In the second variant, on the otherhand, the elastic element may be formed in such a way that the twosecond regions are drawn together by a prestressing. Both have theadvantage that a triggering mechanism for a safety release can beprovided in a simple way.

If the automatic heel unit comprises a ram and two holding elements eachwith a first, a second and a middle region, axes that are alignedsubstantially in the longitudinal direction of the ski beingrespectively arranged in the middle region, the holding elements thuspreferably each have in their second region an offset for interactingwith the ram. This has the advantage that an optimum force transfer fromthe ram to the holding elements can take place.

As a variant of this, the holding elements may each have in their secondregions a clearance for interacting with the ram. This likewise allowsan optimum force transfer from the ram to the holding elements to takeplace.

As an alternative to this, however, there is also the possibility thatthe second regions of the holding elements have neither such offsets norsuch clearances.

If the automatic heel unit comprises two holding elements, each with afirst, a second and a middle region, axes that are aligned substantiallyin the longitudinal direction of the ski being respectively arranged inthe middle region, it is thus preferably the case with the holdingelements respectively that the first region is arranged above the middleregion and the second region is arranged below the middle region. Thishas the advantage that the two holding elements can be mounted on theheel holder in such a way that the holding means are arranged in anupper region of the heel holder, while the second regions are arrangedin a lower region of the heel holder. Since the holding means arearranged in the upper region of the heel holder, the height of the heelholder can be minimized.

If the automatic heel unit comprises a ram and two holding elements,each with a first, a second and a middle region, axes that are alignedsubstantially in the longitudinal direction of the ski beingrespectively arranged in the middle region and the first region beingrespectively arranged above the middle region and the second regionbeing respectively arranged below the middle region, the ram can thuspreferably be acted upon by the elastic element with a downwardly actingforce, in order to interact with the second regions of the holdingelements. This has the advantage that the ram can be arranged with theelastic element substantially parallel to the two holding elements. Inthis case, both the holding elements and the ram with the elasticelement can assume substantially the height of the heel holder.Correspondingly, as a result a very compact triggering mechanism for asafety release can be provided and the size of the heel holder can beminimized.

As a variant of this, however, there is also the possibility that theram is not acted upon by the elastic element with a downwardly directedforce, but with a force acting in another direction. Depending on theembodiment, this may likewise be advantageous.

Preferably, the at least one holding means is at least one pin, which isaligned substantially in the longitudinal direction of the ski and as aresult can engage in at least one corresponding opening in the heelregion of the ski boot. In this case, the at least one pin may bealigned exactly parallel to the longitudinal direction of the ski.However, there is also the possibility that the at least one pin isaligned at an angle of a few degrees to the longitudinal direction ofthe ski. Moreover, if the automatic heel unit makes a safety release inthe forward direction possible, the at least one pin may be mounted onthe heel holder in such a way that, in the event of such a safetyrelease, it can be pivoted away laterally from its actual alignment byup to 90 degrees.

Pins as holding means generally have the advantage that an arrestment ofthe heel region of the ski boot can be achieved in a simple way and thata safety release can be provided in a simple way. In particular, twopins as holding means have the advantage that ski boots with twocorresponding clearances in the heels for interacting with two pins arealready obtainable on the market. In this case, the clearances in theheels of these ski boots are open in the downward direction, in orderthat, in the event of a safety release in the forward direction, the skiboot can be moved away from the pins in the upward direction. Moreover,the clearances in the heels of these ski boots each have a detentrecess, in which the pins can engage for an arrestment of the heel ofthe ski boot. In this case, the arrestment of the ski boot is achievedby the two pins being pressed toward one another by a force, wherebythey hold one another in the corresponding detent recess.

As a variant of at least one pin as at least one holding means, there isalso the possibility that the at least one holding means is differentlyformed. For example, the at least one holding means may also have ashell form, which encloses the sole of the ski boot in the heel regionlaterally as well as above and below. Such heel jaws are known forexample from downhill ski bindings and also from some ski-touringbindings. As a further variant of this, such a shell form may howeveralso for example be configured in a two-part manner, two holding meanstogether forming a corresponding shell form.

As an alternative to this, the at least one holding means may howeveralso be differently formed.

If the automatic heel unit comprises at least one holding unit with anaxis aligned substantially in the longitudinal direction of the ski andthe at least one holding means is at least one pin, the at least one pinand the axis of the at least one holding element that is alignedsubstantially in the longitudinal direction of the ski are thuspreferably aligned substantially parallel to one another. This has theadvantage that, when there is a pivoting movement of the at least oneholding element, an extension of the at least one pin in thelongitudinal direction of the ski remains of the same magnitude. As aresult, the interaction of the at least one pin with the heel of the skiboot can also be better controlled during a pivoting movement of the atleast one holding element. If such a pivoting movement of the at leastone holding element is required for the carrying out of a safety releasein the forward direction, better control of a safety release in theforward direction is also made possible as a result. This advantage alsocomes to bear in the case of a variant in which the automatic heel unitcomprises two such holding elements each with a pin. Moreover, such avariant of the automatic heel unit may be used together with ski bootsobtainable on the market that comprise two corresponding clearances inthe heels for interacting with the pins.

As a variant of this, the at least one pin and the axis of thecorresponding at least one holding element that is aligned substantiallyin the longitudinal direction of the ski may, however, also not bealigned parallel to one another.

In a first, preferred variant, the heel holder is rotatable about anaxis substantially perpendicular to the ski. In this case, in thedownhill position, the heel holder is preferably turned about the axissubstantially perpendicular to the ski into an alignment parallel to theski, whereby the at least one holding means can interact with the heelregion of the ski boot held in the ski binding in such a way that theski boot is arrested in a lowered position. Moreover, it is preferredthat, in the at least one climbing position, the heel holder is turnedaway from an alignment parallel to the ski about the axis substantiallyperpendicular to the ski, so that the heel region of the ski boot heldin the ski binding is released. In this case, the axis substantiallyperpendicular to the ski may be aligned exactly perpendicularly to theski or else at an angle of a few degrees from a vertical alignment. Theturning of the heel holder about the axis substantially perpendicular tothe ski has the advantage that the automatic heel unit can betransferred from the downhill position into the at least one climbingposition and back in a simple way.

There is in this respect the possibility that the heel holder is mountedon the carriage rotatably about the axis substantially perpendicular tothe ski. In this case, in the downhill position, the axis substantiallyperpendicular to the ski is movable together with the carriage and theheel holder with respect to the base element in the longitudinaldirection of the ski along the dynamic region. It may thereby also bethe case for example in the climbing position that the heel holder ismovable together with the carriage with respect to the base element inthe longitudinal direction of the ski along the dynamic region, the heelholder however being turned away from an alignment parallel to the skiabout the axis substantially perpendicular to the ski, so that the heelregion of the ski boot held in the ski binding is released. Within thescope of this possible embodiment there is also the possibility that, inthe climbing position, the movement of the carriage along a dynamicregion is blocked.

As an alternative to this, there is the possibility that a turning partis mounted on the base element rotatably about the axis substantiallyperpendicular to the ski and the carriage is mounted in a linearlydisplaceable manner on this turning part by a guide. In this case, inthe downhill position, the carriage with the heel holder is movable withrespect to the base element on the guide in the longitudinal directionof the ski along the dynamic region, while the axis substantiallyperpendicular to the ski remains in the same position in relation to thebase element, and consequently in relation to the ski. Correspondingly,in this case, in the climbing position, the guide of the carriage isturned away from an alignment parallel to the ski on the turning part.

In a second, preferred variant, the heel holder cannot be transferredfrom the downhill position into the at least one climbing position andback rotatably about the automatic heel unit, about an axissubstantially perpendicular to the ski, as in the first, preferredvariant. In this second, preferred variant, in the downhill position,the carriage has been displaced together with the heel holder in theforward direction with respect to the base element, whereby the at leastone holding means can interact with the heel region of the ski boot heldin the ski binding in such a way that the ski boot is arrested in alowered position. Moreover, in the at least one climbing position, thecarriage has preferably been displaced together with the heel holderwith respect to the base element into a rearward position in such a waythat the heel region of the ski boot held in the ski binding isreleased. This second variant has the advantage that the heel of the skiboot takes place by a displacement of the carriage together with theheel holder in the longitudinal direction of the ski. If, for thearrestment of the heel region of the ski boot, the at least one holdingmeans, pointing from the rear to the front, engages in the heel regionof the ski boot or engages around the heel region of the ski boot, theautomatic heel unit can as a result be transferred from the downhillposition into the at least one climbing position and back without theski boot first having to be released completely from the ski binding.This is advantageous in particular also in a variant in which theautomatic heel unit comprises two pins as holding means.

As alternatives to these two preferred variants, there is however alsothe possibility that the heel holder is for example configured such thatit can be tilted laterally or to the rear, it being tilted laterally orto the rear in the at least one climbing position. Especially thealternative with the heel holder that can be tilted to the rear may beadvantageous if the at least one holding means has a shell form thatencloses the sole of the ski boot in the heel region laterally as wellas above and below. In this case, this shell-shaped holding means may bea heel jaw, as is known from downhill ski bindings and also from someski-touring bindings.

If the carriage is mounted on the base element displaceably in thelongitudinal direction of the ski in such a way that it is in a forwardposition in the downhill position and in a rearward position in the atleast one climbing position, the automatic heel unit advantageouslycomprises an intermediate piece which is displaceable with respect tothe base element in the longitudinal direction of the ski, is acted uponby an elastic element with a forwardly directed force with respect tothe base element and on which the carriage is displaceably mounted. Inthis case, the carriage is preferably displaced into a rearward positionwith respect to the intermediate piece in the at least one climbingposition and is displaced into a forward position with respect to theintermediate piece in the downhill position and is movable together withthe intermediate piece with respect to the base element in thelongitudinal direction of the ski along the dynamic region. For thispurpose, there is the possibility for example that the carriage isguided on a linear guide on the base element and the intermediate pieceis enclosed between the carriage and the base element such that it canbe displaced in the longitudinal direction of the ski. The intermediatepiece may in this case be acted upon by the elastic element with aforwardly directed force with respect to the base element, while thecarriage may be mounted on the intermediate piece in such a way that thecarriage is displaceable into a forward position and a rearward positionwith respect to the intermediate piece by mechanical action. Themechanical action for displacing the carriage with respect to theintermediate piece may take place for example by a deflecting lever or aslide with two detent positions. However, there is also the possibilitythat the intermediate piece is guided displaceably on the base elementin one linear guide, while the carriage is guided on the intermediatepiece in a further linear guide. All of these possibilities have theadvantage that the functionality for adjusting the automatic heel unitfrom the downhill position into the at least one climbing position andback can be separated structurally in a simple way from thefunctionality whereby, in the downhill position, the heel holder ismovable together with the carriage along the dynamic region.

It may however equally be advantageous if the automatic heel unit isformed without an intermediate piece. If, for example, in the downhillposition, the carriage is acted upon by an elastic element with aforwardly directed force and is pressed in the direction of the frontend of the dynamic region, the carriage can also be easily formed suchthat it can be moved in the rearward direction against this forwardlydirected force. In this case, in the at least one climbing position, thecarriage may be pressed into the rearward position against the forwardlydirected force. This variant has the advantage that the automatic heelunit can be formed more simply and at lower cost.

If the carriage is mounted on the base element displaceably in thelongitudinal direction of the ski in such a way that it is in a forwardposition in the downhill position and in a rearward position in the atleast one climbing position, the automatic heel unit thus preferablycomprises an adjusting lever that has a downhill position and at leastone climbing position, wherein, by positioning the adjusting lever inthe downhill position, the automatic heel unit can be brought into thedownhill position and, by positioning the adjusting lever in one of theat least one climbing positions, can be brought into the correspondingone of the at least one climbing positions. This has the advantage thatthe automatic heel unit can be brought from the downhill position intothe at least one climbing position in a simple way.

As an alternative to this, the automatic heel unit may also not comprisesuch an adjusting lever.

If the carriage is mounted on the base element displaceably in thelongitudinal direction of the ski in such a way that it is in a forwardposition in the downhill position and in a rearward position in the atleast one climbing position, and if the automatic heel unit comprises anadjusting lever, the adjusting lever is thus preferably mounted on thebase element pivotably about an axis of rotation oriented horizontallyin the transverse direction of the ski. This has the advantage that theautomatic heel unit can be transferred from the downhill position intothe at least one climbing position and back in a simple way by theadjusting lever being pivoted upward in the forward direction ordownward in the rearward direction. In this case, the mounting on thebase element has the advantage that the axis of rotation is fixed to theski, which facilitates actuation of the adjusting lever.

If the adjusting lever is mounted on the base element pivotably about anaxis of rotation oriented horizontally in the transverse direction ofthe ski and, in the downhill position, the carriage is acted upon by anelastic element with a forwardly directed force and is pressed in thedirection of a front end of the dynamic region, the adjusting leverpreferably has at least one counterpart, against which the carriage ispressed. This counterpart can preferably be moved in the rearwarddirection by adjusting the adjusting lever from the downhill positioninto one of the at least one climbing positions, whereby the carriage ismoved into the rearward position against the forwardly directed forceand the automatic heel unit is brought into one of the at least oneclimbing positions. Furthermore, this counterpart can preferably bemoved forward by adjusting the adjusting lever from one of the at leastone climbing positions into the downhill position, whereby a space infront of the carriage is freed and the carriage is moved in the forwarddirection by the forwardly directed force and the automatic heel unit isbrought into the downhill position.

If the automatic heel unit comprises an adjusting lever and the carriageis mounted on the base element displaceably in the longitudinaldirection of the ski in such a way that it is in a forward position inthe downhill position and in a rearward position in the at least oneclimbing position, in a variant it is thus also possible for theadjusting lever to be mounted on the carriage pivotably about an axis ofrotation oriented horizontally in the transverse direction of the ski.In this case there is the possibility that the adjusting lever has atleast one counterpart, which together with the carriage is pressedagainst a stop on the base element. This counterpart can preferably bemoved in the forward direction by adjusting the adjusting lever from thedownhill position into one of the at least one climbing positions,whereby the carriage is moved into the rearward position against theforwardly directed force and the automatic heel unit is brought into oneof the at least one climbing positions. Furthermore, there is thepossibility that this counterpart is moved in the rearward direction byadjusting the adjusting lever from one of the at least one climbingpositions into the downhill position, whereby a space in front of thecarriage is freed and the carriage is moved in the forward direction bythe forwardly directed force and the automatic heel unit is brought intothe downhill position.

As a variant of this, there is also the possibility that the adjustinglever is mounted both on the base element and on the carriage.

If the automatic heel unit comprises an intermediate piece, there arefurther variants of how the adjusting lever can be mounted. Thus, theadjusting lever may for example be pivotably mounted both on theintermediate piece and on the carriage, in each case about an axis ofrotation oriented horizontally in the transverse direction of the ski.However, there is also the possibility that the adjusting lever ispivotably mounted both on the base element and on the carriage, in eachcase about an axis of rotation oriented horizontally in the transversedirection of the ski.

If the adjusting lever is mounted pivotably about an axis of rotationoriented horizontally in the transverse direction of the ski on the baseelement, on the carriage or, if present, on the intermediate piece, theadjusting lever preferably has a support for the heel region of the skiboot that has been pivoted into the path of movement of the heel regionwhen the adjusting lever is positioned in a corresponding one of the atleast one climbing positions and, as a result, limits lowering of theheel region of the ski boot toward the ski. This has the advantage thata climbing aid can be provided by the adjusting lever. Since, as aresult, a separate climbing aid is not required, the automatic heel unitcan be produced in a correspondingly simple, light and low-cost form.

If the adjusting lever is mounted pivotably about an axis of rotationoriented horizontally in the transverse direction of the ski on the baseelement, on the carriage or, if present, on the intermediate piece, theadjusting lever preferably has at least two climbing positions and atleast two supports for the heel region of the ski boot, one of the atleast two supports respectively being pivoted into the path of movementof the heel region when the adjusting lever is positioned in acorresponding one of the at least two climbing positions of theadjusting lever, so that the at least two supports respectively limitlowering of the heel region of the ski boot toward the ski at adifferent distance from the ski. This has the advantage that at leasttwo different climbing aids are provided. This has the advantage firstlythat greater walking comfort is achieved and secondly that no separateelements are required on the automatic heel unit for these two climbingaids. Correspondingly, the automatic heel unit can be produced in asimple, light and low-cost form.

If the adjusting lever is mounted pivotably about an axis of rotationoriented horizontally in the transverse direction of the ski on the baseelement, on the carriage or, if present, on the intermediate piece, theadjusting lever advantageously has a climbing position, in which theadjusting lever is at a distance from the path of movement of the heelregion of the ski boot, whereby the ski boot can be lowered toward theski as far as a supporting element of the automatic heel unit. This hasthe advantage that optimum walking comfort is achieved for the skier onflat terrain.

As a variant of this, the adjusting lever may also have a climbingposition in which the adjusting lever is at a distance from the path ofmovement of the heel region of the ski boot, whereby the ski boot can belowered toward the ski as far as a supporting element of the automaticheel unit, but the adjusting lever also having one or more furtherclimbing positions and an equal number of supports for the heel regionof the ski boot, one of these supports respectively being pivoted intothe path of movement of the heel region when the adjusting lever ispositioned in a corresponding climbing position of the adjusting lever,so that the corresponding support respectively limits lowering of theheel region of the ski boot toward the ski at a different distance fromthe ski. This has the advantage that optimum walking comfort can beachieved for the skier in a simple way on flat and variably inclinedterrain.

If the carriage is mounted on the base element displaceably in thelongitudinal direction of the ski in such a way that it is in a forwardposition in the downhill position and in a rearward position in the atleast one climbing position, the automatic heel unit preferably has atleast two climbing positions, the carriage being in the same rearwardposition in all of the climbing positions. As already mentioned, in thevarious climbing positions, various climbing aids can respectively limitlowering of the heel region of the ski boot toward the ski at adifferent distance from the ski. In this case, these climbing aids maybe arranged on a possibly present adjusting lever or else be provided asseparate elements. Since the carriage is not displaced when adjustingfrom one climbing aid to another climbing aid, a distance over which thecarriage is displaceable when adjusting between the downhill positionand the at least two climbing positions can be minimized. This allowsthe automatic heel unit to be designed more compactly. Moreover, theautomatic heel unit can be produced in a simpler, lower-cost and lighterform.

As a variant of this, however, there is also the possibility that thecarriage is formed such that it is displaceable in the longitudinaldirection of the ski when adjusting between the at least two climbingpositions. Moreover, however, there is also the variant that theautomatic heel unit has only one climbing position.

If the carriage is mounted on the base element displaceably in thelongitudinal direction of the ski in such a way that it is in a forwardposition in the downhill position and in a rearward position in the atleast one climbing position, the automatic heel unit preferably has aski brake with a braking member. This braking member advantageouslycomprises a rest position and a braking position, the braking memberbeing assigned an actuating member, which can be actuated in such a waythat the braking member goes over from the braking position into therest position when the heel region of the ski boot is lowered toward theski when stepping into the binding. In this case, in the climbingposition, the braking member of the ski brake can preferably be kept inthe rest position by a holding mechanism, by a first element of theholding mechanism that is arranged on the base element and a secondelement of the holding mechanism that is arranged on the ski brakeinteracting. Furthermore, the ski brake is advantageously arranged onthe carriage, whereby, in the downhill position, the ski brake togetherwith the carriage is pushed in the forward direction and the firstelement and the second element are at a distance from one another and,in the at least one climbing position, the ski brake together with thecarriage is pushed into the rearward position, whereby the first elementand the second element can interact. This has the advantage that, in thedownhill position, the braking member can be released in a simple wayand that, in the at least one climbing position, the braking member canbe kept in the rest position in a simple way. Correspondingly, anautomatic heel unit with this functionality can be produced in a simpleand low-cost form.

As a variant of this, however, the ski brake may also be arranged on thebase element or, if present, on the intermediate piece. Moreover, thereis the possibility that the holding mechanism is formed in some otherway.

If the intermediate piece is present, the first element of the holdingmechanism may for example also be arranged on the intermediate piece andnot on the base element.

As an alternative, however, there is also the possibility that theautomatic heel unit does not have a ski brake.

If the automatic heel unit comprises a ski brake arranged on thecarriage and if the carriage is mounted on the base element displaceablyin the longitudinal direction of the ski in such a way that it is in aforward position in the downhill position and in a rearward position inthe at least one climbing position, the first and/or the second elementof the holding mechanism is advantageously formed elastically ormovably, so that, in the at least one climbing position, the brakingmember can be transferred from the braking position into the restposition, the first and the second element of the holding mechanismbeing able to snap into one another, whereby the braking member can bekept in the rest position by the interaction of the first and secondelements of the holding mechanism. In this case, the first and secondelements of the holding mechanism are preferably formed in such a waythat a transfer of the automatic heel unit into the downhill positionand corresponding displacement of the carriage into the forward positionhas the effect that the interaction of the first and second elements ofthe holding mechanism is suspended, whereby the braking member isreleased and can go over into the braking position. This has theadvantage that optimum functionality of the ski brake can be ensured. Asan alternative to this, however, there is also the possibility that theelements of the holding mechanism are differently formed.

A second invention relates to an automatic heel unit for a ski binding,in particular a ski-touring binding, with a base element for mountingthe automatic heel unit on the upper side of a ski, a carriage which ismounted on the base element displaceably in the longitudinal directionof the ski and on which there is arranged a heel holder with at leastone holding means for holding a ski boot in a heel region of the skiboot, and a ski brake with a braking member. This braking membercomprises a rest position and a braking position, the braking memberbeing assigned an actuating member, which can be actuated in such a waythat the braking member goes over from the braking position into therest position when the heel region of the ski boot is lowered toward theski when stepping into the binding. Such an automatic heel unit has adownhill position, in which the carriage has been displaced togetherwith the heel holder in the forward direction with respect to the baseelement in such a way that the at least one holding means can interactwith the heel region of the ski boot held in the ski binding in such away that the ski boot is arrested in a lowered position. Furthermore,such an automatic heel unit has at least one climbing position, in whichthe carriage has been displaced together with the heel holder into arearward position with respect to the base element in such a way thatthe heel region of the ski boot held in the ski binding is released. Inthis case, in the at least one climbing position, the braking member ofthe ski brake can be kept in the rest position by a holding mechanism,by a first element of the holding mechanism that is arranged on the baseelement and a second element of the holding mechanism that is arrangedon the ski brake interacting.

The object of the second invention is to provide an automatic heel unithaving a ski brake and belonging to the technical field mentioned herewith which, in the at least one climbing position, the braking membercan be kept in the rest position in a simple way.

The solution by which the object is achieved is defined by the ski brakebeing arranged on the carriage, whereby, in the downhill position, theski brake together with the carriage has been pushed into the forwardposition and the first element and the second element are at a distancefrom one another and, in the at least one climbing position, the skibrake together with the carriage has been pushed into the rearwardposition, whereby the first holding element and the second holdingelement can interact.

This has the advantage that, in the downhill position, the brakingmember can be released in a simple way and that, in the at least oneclimbing position, the braking member can be kept in the rest positionin a simple way. Correspondingly, an automatic heel unit with thisfunctionality can be produced in a simple and low-cost form.

In the case of an automatic heel unit according to the solution by whichthe object of the further invention is achieved, the first and/or thesecond element of the holding mechanism is advantageously formedelastically or movably, so that, in the at least one climbing position,the braking member can be transferred from the braking position into therest position, the first and the second element of the holding mechanismbeing able to snap into one another, whereby the braking member can bekept in the rest position by the interaction of the first and secondelements of the holding mechanism. In this case, the first and secondelements of the holding mechanism are preferably formed in such a waythat a transfer of the automatic heel unit into the downhill positionand corresponding displacement of the carriage into the forward positionhas the effect that the interaction of the first and second elements ofthe holding mechanism is suspended, whereby the braking member isreleased and can go over into the braking position. This has theadvantage that optimum functionality of the ski brake can be ensured. Asan alternative to this, however, there is also the possibility that theelements of the holding mechanism are differently formed.

A third invention relates to an automatic heel unit for a ski binding,in particular a ski-touring binding, with a base part for mounting theautomatic heel unit on the upper side of a ski and a carriage mounted onthe base part displaceably in the longitudinal direction, on whichcarriage there is provided a sole holder with a holding means forholding a ski boot sole in the heel region, wherein an adjusting leverthat is pivotably mounted on the automatic heel unit and can be actuatedby a user for adjusting the automatic heel unit between a downhillposition and at least one climbing position is present, and theadjusting lever is in a locking position in the downhill position and ina release position, pivoted with respect to the locking position, in theat least one climbing position, wherein, in the downhill position, thecarriage has been displaced together with the sole holder into a forwardposition with respect to the base part in such a way that the holdingmeans can interact with the heel region of a ski boot held in thebinding in such a way that the heel region of the ski boot is arrestedin a lowered position and, in the at least one climbing position, thecarriage has been displaced together with the sole holder into arearward position with respect to the base part in such a way that aheel region of the ski boot held in the ski binding is released.

The object of this third invention is to provide a safety automatic heelunit belonging to the technical field mentioned at the beginning that isconvenient to handle while being of a light and simple structuraldesign.

The solution by which this object is achieved is defined by theadjusting lever of the automatic heel unit being mounted in a firstbearing on the carriage and in a second bearing on the base part, thefirst bearing being arranged on the carriage in a region of the lengthin front of the sole holder.

Here and hereafter, reference is made for orientation to a ski on whichthe automatic heel unit is mounted in the way intended. In particular,in this case a mounting area of the base part or of a baseplate of thebase part is fastened on the surface of the ski parallel to an upperside of the ski. A longitudinal direction of the base part is in thiscase aligned parallel to a longitudinal direction of the ski, adirection toward the tip of the ski, i.e. in the traveling direction ofthe ski, being referred to as “front” and a direction toward the end ofthe ski being referred to as “rear”. In the mounted state, the automaticheel unit is also aligned in such a way that the holding means of thesole holder is directed toward the front. On account of the coplanararrangement in the mounted state, an alignment perpendicular to themounting area of the base part is also referred to as a directionperpendicular to the ski. Unless otherwise mentioned, a directionparallel to the mounting area or the upper side of the ski and largelyperpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base part is referredto as the transverse direction or transversely to the longitudinaldirection of the ski. It also goes without saying that, in the case ofthe relevant type of ski-touring bindings, the distance from the frontjaw at which the automatic heel unit must be mounted on the ski isdictated by the length of a ski boot sole, within the limits ofadjustability of the automatic heel unit. The climbing position, alreadymentioned at the beginning, in which a heel of the ski boot is released,consequently always relates to the downhill position, in which the heelof the ski boot can be locked in the same mounting position of theautomatic heel unit.

According to the invention, the adjusting lever is mounted on theautomatic heel unit at at least two bearing points, on the one hand in afirst bearing on the carriage that is displaceable with respect to thebase part and on the other hand in a second bearing on the base part. Onaccount of the mounting in two bearings on the two mutually displaceableparts of the automatic heel unit, the adjusting lever is suitable formaking a displacement of the carriage with respect to the base partpossible when the adjusting lever on the automatic heel unit is pivoted,for example by a user.

Here, the bearings may generally be for example both linear bearings forguiding a straight or curved movement of the adjusting lever and radialbearings for guided rotation or comprise a combination of theaforementioned types of bearing. In particular, the bearings may beconfigured as rolling bearings or sliding bearings, it being possiblefor actual configurations to comprise, for example, grooves with studsguided therein as well as axles or stub axles. A person skilled in theart can draw here from a multitude of known bearings and bearingsystems.

The fact that, according to the invention, the first bearing is arrangedin front of the sole holder means that the adjusting lever is mountedand supported on the automatic heel unit in a region of the length inwhich a heel region of the ski boot is arranged when it is loweredtoward the ski or locked in the binding. A force acting on the adjustinglever in this region of the length can consequently be removedoptimally, i.e. with smallest possible leverages and without additionalsupport, directly via the first bearing to the automatic heel unit andvia the latter to the ski. In particular, in the case where the firstbearing comprises a rotary bearing, the adjusting lever may be pivotedabout a first geometrical axis of rotation, defined by the rotarybearing, in such a way that it is arranged in a righted state in frontof the sole holder below a heel region of a ski boot held in thebinding. In the case of a displacing guide, the adjusting lever may bedisplaced into the front region of the carriage and in the case of acombination bearing displaced and righted.

The adjusting lever can consequently be brought into a position in frontof the sole holder where it can interact with a ski boot held in thebinding in a further function, for example as a climbing aid to supporta heel region of the ski boot. In particular, according to theinvention, the first bearing is in this case located in a region of thelength in which the greatest loading of the adjusting lever by the skiboot can be expected.

The arrangement according to the invention of the adjusting lever with afirst bearing on the carriage in front of the sole holder consequentlymakes multipurpose use of the adjusting lever possible, whereby theautomatic heel unit can be formed in a structurally simple and lightway. Moreover, removal of forces acting on the adjusting lever isoptimized by the arrangement according to the invention, by theadjusting lever being supported in that region of the length in whichthe greatest forces directed toward the ski are to be expected whenclimbing with the heel of the ski boot released.

In a preferred embodiment, the holding means of the heel jaw are formedas two pins that protrude from a front end face of the sole holder,formed as an abutting area, forward in the direction of a front jaw ofthe binding. For locking the ski boot, the pins engage in correspondingclearances, which are typically formed on a heel-side end face of theski boot sole. The pins thereby engage in corresponding detent notchesof the clearances.

In order to ensure that even demanding requirements for the safety ofrelevant ski bindings are met, the sole holder of the automatic heelunit is preferably provided with mechanisms for safety release that makepossible both a forward release (in the case of loading of the ski boottoward the ski tip) and a sideways release (in the case of loading ofthe ski boot transversely to the longitudinal direction of the ski).

In order to ensure a safety release in the forward direction, in apreferred embodiment the pins are respectively mounted on the soleholder rotatably about vertical axes that are largely perpendicular tothe ski. For the engagement in the detent notches of the clearances onthe ski boot, the pins are subjected to a correspondingly directedspring force, typically inward toward a center vertical plane of theski. If forwardly directed forces acting on the ski boot exceed acertain threshold value, this spring force is overcome and the pinsslide out of the detent notches, whereby the heel of the boot isreleased (forward release). In order to achieve improved force transferand to simplify the structural design of the sole holder, in the case ofthe present automatic heel unit the pins are mounted in a front regionat the abutting area of the sole holder. In this case, rocker arms thatare rigidly connected to the pins and extend from the mountings into thesole holder in the rearward direction are acted upon by a wedge-shapedthrust piece with a spring force in the forward direction and are thusforced apart symmetrically. The pins mounted oppositely with respect tothe mountings of the rocker arms and extending in the forward directionare consequently subjected to the spring force toward a central verticalplane of the ski. Consequently, a releasing force for the forwardrelease can be provided in a simple way by means of the compressionspring, a prestressing of the compression spring, that can be set forexample by means of an adjusting device, determining the releasingforce. This particularly simple mechanism for providing the releasingforce is obtained, inter alia, by the mounting of the pins in the frontregion of the sole holder. With preference, the pins are also inclinedslightly in the inward direction and in the downward direction towardthe ski with respect to a central vertical plane of the ski, wherebyimproved securement of the ski boot in the heel region is achieved.

In order to ensure a sideways release of the automatic heel unit, theentire sole holder is advantageously mounted on the carriage rotatablywith respect to a vertical axis that is largely perpendicular to theski. For this purpose, the carriage has a largely circular-cylindricalbase, on which the sole holder is rotatably mounted with a correspondingbearing sleeve. The base has circumferentially in a rear region aflattened portion, against which a thrust piece of the sole holdersubjected to a spring force abuts. In order to deflect the sole holdersideways in the case of a sideways release to release the heel of theboot, the thrust piece must be displaced in the rearward directionagainst the spring force on account of the flattened portion on thebase. If then a sufficiently great lateral force acts on the heel of theski boot, the sole holder is taken along on account of the engagement ofthe holding means and is deflected laterally against the releasingforce. With sufficiently further deflection, the holding means becomedisengaged from the ski boot sole and the heel region is released(sideways release). The compression spring may advantageously beprovided with a prestressing by means of a setting device for settingthe required releasing force.

As is customary in the case of the relevant type of ski-touringbindings, the automatic heel unit according to the invention can bemounted on a ski independently of a front jaw. In particular, thelocking and the release of the heel of the ski boot, which is providedby the automatic heel unit in an advantageous way, is largelyindependent of the actual configuration of the front jaw. The automaticheel unit can consequently also be used in conjunction with known frontjaws of the Dynafit-like binding systems described at the beginning.However, it is also conceivable to use the automatic heel unit inconjunction with other binding systems in which a heel of a ski bootthat can be lifted off from the ski is achieved for example by a bootthat is elastically formed in the ball region and is fixed to the frontjaw in the toe/ball region (as is known for example also in the case ofTelemark bindings). However, it is generally recommendable to use theautomatic heel unit in conjunction with a front jaw made to match it, inorder to ensure optimum functionality of the binding system as a whole.The applicant therefore also offers on the market a Safety-Pin-System(SPS) binding system, which comprises an automatic heel unit accordingto the invention in conjunction with a front jaw not described in anymore detail here.

With preference, the base part of the automatic heel unit comprises abaseplate for mounting on the ski and an intermediate piece, theintermediate piece being supported on the base part displaceably withrespect to the baseplate rearwardly in the longitudinal directionagainst a restoring force. For this purpose, the intermediate piece hasfor example a spindle drive arranged in the longitudinal direction witha screw thread portion that engages in a toothing formed correspondinglyon the baseplate or in a (partial) thread. The spindle drive is in thiscase mounted longitudinally displaceably in a guided manner on theintermediate piece, a resilient element, preferably a helical spring,being arranged between the screw thread portion and the intermediatepiece (advantageously in front of the screw thread) for producing therestoring force (if arranged in front of the screw thread, said springcan be compressively loaded).

The spindle drive achieves the effect on the one hand that an absolutelongitudinal position of the intermediate piece with respect to thebaseplate fixed to the ski can be set. If the carriage is coupled to theintermediate piece with respect to a longitudinal displacement, alongitudinal position of the sole holder can thus be adapted to a skiboot. On the other hand, the intermediate piece and any parts of theautomatic heel unit that may be coupled thereto can yield with respectto the spindle drive (and consequently also with respect to thebaseplate) under loading in the rearward direction against the restoringforce on account of the resilient support of the intermediate piece.

With preference, in the downhill position, the carriage is thereforecoupled largely rigidly to the intermediate piece, in order by means ofthe intermediate piece to support the carriage on the baseplatedisplaceably in the rearward direction, likewise against the restoringforce. When there is a rearwardly directed force from the heel of theski boot on the sole holder, for example in the case of flexing of theski, the sole holder can thus yield resiliently in the rearwarddirection together with the carriage. This is advantageously achieved bythe second bearing being formed on the intermediate piece, whereby thecarriage can interact with the intermediate piece via the adjustinglever. If for example the bearings and the adjusting lever are suitablyformed and arranged, it is possible by the alignment of the adjustinglever in the locking position to achieve the effect that the carriage iscoupled to the intermediate piece largely rigidly with respect to alongitudinal displacement in the rearward direction (for exampledead-center position). With preference, latching devices that engage theadjusting lever in the locking position, for example on the intermediatepiece, and thereby ensure the largely rigid coupling, are additionallyprovided.

The resilient support of the sole holder on the base part fixed to theski achieves the effect that, unlike known automatic heel units ofrelevant binding systems, a rear end face of the ski boot sole can abutagainst an abutting area of the sole holder arranged in front in thelongitudinal direction when the ski boot is locked in the downhillposition. This is not possible in the case of conventional bindings ofthe relevant type, since the sole holder is rigidly connected to the skiand, for example in the case of flexing of the ski, damage to the heeljaw or blocking of the safety release must be expected. The fact thatthe boot sole abuts against the abutting area means that both a sidewayssafety release and a forward safety release of the sole holder can becontrolled better. In particular, for this purpose the abutting area mayfor example have a bi-convex curvature, so that in the case of bothtypes of safety release the heel-side end face of the sole can roll orslide on the abutting area. The fact that the boot sole can reach as faras the abutting area means that the holding means can be formed in amore compact manner, i.e. for example shorter in the longitudinaldirection, and consequently lighter, since no distance from the bootsole has to be bridged.

If the second bearing is formed fixedly on the base part and not on aresiliently supported intermediate piece, to ensure resilient yieldingof the sole holder in the event of flexing of the ski it would benecessary for example for one of the two bearings to be formed in such away that either the carriage can yield with respect to the adjustinglever or the carriage together with the adjusting lever can yield withrespect to the base part resiliently in the rearward direction. Whilesuch a structural design may be advantageous, depending on therequirements, the resultant structural design of the resilient bearingis complex.

In a preferred embodiment, the first bearing is formed as a standardrotary bearing that defines a first geometrical axis of rotation of theadjusting lever arranged parallel to the upper side of the ski andtransversely to the longitudinal direction of the ski. The adjustinglever can consequently be pivoted about the first axis of rotationforwardly in the longitudinal direction of the ski, and consequentlyraised up from a pivoted position largely parallel to the ski, orrearwardly in the longitudinal direction of the ski, and for examplelowered onto the ski. The fact that the adjusting lever is mounted onthe carriage in a standard rotary bearing means that, on account of thesingle rotational degree of freedom of the bearing, the operativeconnection of the adjusting lever to the carriage is defined withrespect to a longitudinal displacement of the carriage, i.e. atranslation in the longitudinal direction. A displacement of that regionof the adjusting lever in which the first bearing point is arranged inthe longitudinal direction consequently also results in a displacementof the carriage.

In particular, the second bearing may be formed in such a way that, inthe downhill position, it is arranged in a region of the length at theholding means of the sole holder. The fact that, in the downhillposition, the first bearing is provided in front of the sole holder andthe second bearing is provided in the region of the length of theholding means, i.e. in a region of the length at a front end of the soleholder, means that the two bearings are arranged one behind the other inthe longitudinal direction in the downhill position. A transfer oflongitudinal forces on the carriage to the base part can consequentlytake place via the adjusting lever with lowest possible transverseforces. In particular, in the locking position the adjusting lever mayfor this purpose be arranged largely parallel to the ski, in order totransfer any longitudinal forces from the carriage largely in itslongitudinal direction optimally to the base part or the intermediatepiece of the base part.

The automatic heel unit is advantageously formed in such a way that, inevery position of the automatic heel unit, the first geometrical axis ofrotation, defined by the bearing, is arranged at the same height, i.e.the same height over a surface of the ski, with respect to a directionperpendicular to the ski. Consequently, a displacing guide that ensuresthe longitudinal displaceability of the carriage with respect to thebase part can be formed in a simple way likewise parallel to the surfaceof the ski or parallel to the mounting area of the base part, forexample as a simple rail.

In order to ensure a defined displacement of the carriage with respectto the base part when adjusting the automatic heel unit from thedownhill position into the climbing position or vice versa, the secondbearing preferably comprises a displacing guide on which the adjustinglever is mounted displaceably and in a guided manner with respect to thebase part, the displacing guide providing in particular a guideddisplacement in the direction largely perpendicular to the ski. Thisensures that, in the case of a first bearing formed as a standard rotarybearing, when there is a displacement of the carriage in the rearwarddirection the adjusting lever in the second bearing can yield in theupward direction in the displacing guide. Conversely, when there is anactuation of the adjusting lever, i.e. the pivoted position of theadjusting lever is changed by a user, the adjusting lever is supportedon the second bearing by means of the second bearing point in such a waythat a force in the longitudinal direction is exerted on the carriage bymeans of the first bearing, via the first bearing point at a distancefrom the second bearing point, resulting in a displacement of thecarriage.

If the adjusting lever is pivoted with respect to the heel jaw, there isfirstly a rotation about the first geometrical axis of rotation of thefirst rotary bearing. Superposed on the rotation is a translation in thedisplacing guide of the second bearing. The adjusting lever is therebyalso rotated in the displacing guide at its second bearing point about asecond geometrical axis of rotation. Consequently, when there ispivoting of the adjusting lever, this produces the overall effect of arotation about a geometrical pivoting axis at the time of the adjustinglever that moves in a translatory manner on a geometrical path withrespect to the automatic heel unit. Depending on how the bearings areformed, the geometrical path may in this case be straight or curved.Both the geometrical pivoting axis at the time and the geometrical pathare virtual and have no structural elements.

In particular, the movement of the adjusting lever during the pivotingis completely defined overall with respect to the base part on accountof the mounting in the two bearings and the longitudinal displaceabilityof the carriage, i.e. on account of the displacing guide of the basepart, on which the carriage is guided in a longitudinally displaceablemanner.

In principle, it is also conceivable to form a displacing guide in thefirst bearing and to form the second bearing as a standard rotarybearing. Such a structural design however requires a greater overallheight of the carriage, since a displacement perpendicularly to the skiof the first geometrical axis of rotation requires that the displacingguide is correspondingly dimensioned in the direction perpendicular tothe ski. Furthermore, under some circumstances it is also advantageousto form both bearings as combined displacing guides and rotary bearings,though such a structural design is more complex. Instead of displacingguides, articulated mechanisms that make a translation of one of thegeometrical axes of rotation possible could also be provided. However,articulated mechanisms are generally of a more complex structural designand more susceptible to mechanical damage.

The second bearing advantageously comprises as a displacing guide aslotted link, in which the adjusting lever is guided displaceably by aslider and rotatably about a second geometrical axis of rotation. Theslotted link has for example a slit, fillet or groove, in/on which aslider is positively guided on both sides. A movement of the slottedlink that is not directed into the tangential direction at the time ofthe guideway consequently results in a movement of the slider, and viceversa. A transfer function of the slotted link is in this casedetermined by the shape of the slit, fillet or groove and can be adaptedwithin wide limits to the actual requirements (for example the geometryof the adjusting lever, carriage, base part, etc.). In particular, theslotted link may guide the slider for example on a path that is straightor curved in a certain portion or portions. If the slider iscorrespondingly formed, such as for example as stub axles, it may befreely rotatable within the slotted link, the slider defining the secondgeometrical axis of rotation. The slider is preferably provided largelyfixedly on the adjusting lever and thus forms the second bearing pointof the adjusting lever. The slotted link consequently makes adisplaceability of the adjusting lever in the second bearing possibleand allows a rotation about the second geometrical axis of rotation.

With preference, the slotted link comprises a slot and the slider has atransverse pin, the transverse pin being mounted on the adjusting leverand guided displaceably in the slot. The slot in this case preferablyforms a passage in the transverse direction through the base part or, ifthe second bearing is formed on the intermediate piece, through theintermediate piece, so that the transverse pin can pass through the slotand protrude to both sides of the intermediate piece with respect to alongitudinal direction of the ski. In this way, the intermediate piececan be arranged centrally on the baseplate and the adjusting lever canbe formed on both sides of the intermediate piece, preferably largelysymmetrically (see for example above: U-shaped adjusting lever). Thetransverse pin is in this case advantageously mounted on the adjustinglever on both sides of the intermediate piece, whereby the forces actingare likewise distributed symmetrically. If, on the other hand, theslotted link is formed as a groove, the adjusting lever advantageouslyhas instead of a continuous transverse pin short stub axles, whichengage in the groove and thus guide the adjusting lever. However, stubaxles can slide out of the groove if the adjusting lever is deformed asa result of greater loads, for which reason a continuous transverse pinguided in a slot should generally be preferable.

In order to ensure the aforementioned largely rigid coupling of thecarriage to the base part or to the intermediate piece in the downhillposition of the automatic heel unit, the slotted link advantageouslycomprises a latching position, in which the slider is engaged in thedownhill position. In the case of a slotted link formed as a slot, forthis purpose the slot is preferably formed in an L-shaped manner, ashorter arm of the L shape serving as a latching position. For thispurpose, the shorter arm is preferably formed such that it is inclinedin the longitudinal direction, from the connection to the longer armrearward toward the ski. This achieves the effect that, when there is aforce on the adjusting lever rearwardly in the longitudinal direction,the slider is pressed into the latching position and toward the ski,whereby on the one hand the engagement is ensured and on the other handthe adjusting lever is forced toward the ski by means of the slider.However, depending on how the slider is formed, the latching positionmay also be formed as a simple notch or recess, in which the sliderengages. Moreover, in a way analogous to the situation described above,an L shape may also be advantageous in the case of a slotted link formedas a groove.

In order, inter alia, to achieve the aforementioned largely rigidcoupling of the carriage to the base part or the intermediate piece ofthe base part with the least possible structural complexity and goodreliability, in the locking position the adjusting lever is preferablyarranged largely parallel to the ski and in the at least one releaseposition it is arranged such that it is righted with respect to the ski,i.e. in particular also pivoted with respect to the locking position.

The arrangement parallel to the ski allows longitudinal forces to betransferred from the front, first bearing via the adjusting lever to thesecond bearing, arranged further to the rear, with lowest possibletransverse forces. The arrangement of the adjusting lever isadvantageous in particular whenever the two bearings are arranged on theautomatic heel unit in the way described above one behind the other inthe longitudinal direction. With preference, in the locking position,the adjusting lever is lowered in the rearward direction onto the ski,so that, in the downhill position of the automatic heel unit, theadjusting lever rests largely on the ski and so in downhill skiing hasonly a small area of attack for mechanical damage.

In the at least one release position, the adjusting lever is in thiscase righted, whereby the carriage has been displaced in the rearwarddirection and the automatic heel unit is in a righted position onaccount of the way in which according to the invention the adjustinglever is mounted on two bearings. The fact that the pivoted position ofthe adjusting lever in the release position and the locking positiondiffers means that, as already mentioned above, the automatic heel unitcan be brought from the downhill position into the at least one climbingposition, and vice versa, by simple pivoting of the adjusting lever bythe user.

In order to prevent complete lowering of the heel region of the ski bootin the at least one climbing position onto the components of theautomatic heel unit that are arranged in front of the sole holder, theadjusting lever advantageously has a first support for the heel region,which in the release position of the adjusting lever has been pivotedinto the path of movement of the heel region. The first support is inthis case formed and arranged on the adjusting lever in such a way thatit does not interact with the ski boot in the locking position of theadjusting lever, and only in the release position prevents furtherlowering of the ski boot to the height of the support. The supportconsequently forms a walking step of the automatic heel unit for use onflat or only slightly inclined terrain. This prevents the adjustinglever from being damaged by the boot via the support in the downhillposition. In variants, the first support may for example also be formedon the carriage below the heel region, in this case the heel regionpreferably not resting on the support in the downhill position with theski boot locked.

Apart from the at least one climbing position, the automatic heel unitadvantageously has a further climbing position, in which the heel regionof the ski boot held in the ski binding is released and in which theadjusting lever has been pivoted into a further release position,assigned to the further climbing position. The various release positionspreferably differ by a pivoting angle that a longitudinal axis of theadjusting lever forms with a longitudinal center axis of the ski. Thefurther release positions allow the adjusting lever to be brought intofurther functional positions by the user in a simple way. The automaticheel unit may, however, also have only one climbing position, in whichthe heel region of the ski boot is released.

In the case of a further advantageous embodiment of the automatic heelunit, the adjusting lever comprises at a supporting distance from thefirst bearing a further support for the heel region of the ski boot thathas been pivoted into the path of movement of the heel region, largelyabove the first bearing in the direction perpendicular to the ski, inthe further release position assigned to the further climbing position,so that lowering of the heel region toward the ski is limited by thesupport at a supporting distance from the first bearing. The furthersupports consequently form climbing steps of the automatic heel unit forconvenient use on steep terrain. The further support consequentlyperforms a supporting function in the manner of known climbing aids inthe case of ski-touring bindings, which can be activated by the userwhen climbing on steep terrain and prevents complete lowering of theheel region toward the ski.

The automatic heel unit according to the invention may also haveadditional supports at various supporting distances from the firstbearing that allow support of the heel region of the ski boot at varioussupporting distances. For this purpose, each support is preferablyassigned a release position of the adjusting lever, in which therespectively associated support has been pivoted into the path ofmovement of the heel region. In this case, one of the climbing positionsof the automatic heel unit corresponds to each release position of theadjusting lever.

In order to fix the adjusting lever releasably in the at least one ormore release position(s), the automatic heel unit preferably has alatching device, which engages the adjusting lever in the variousrelease positions. For this purpose, a latching position isadvantageously formed and arranged directly on the carriage in such away that the adjusting lever is engaged in the latching position bymeans of the slider, in particular by means of the slider formed as atransverse pin, when the adjusting lever is in the at least one releaseposition. The latching position may in this case be formed as a simpletransverse recess or transverse notch, in which the transverse pinengages in the at least one release position. In the case of at leastone or more further release position(s), on the carriage there is or arepreferably at least one or more further latching position(s), in whichthe adjusting lever is engaged by means of the slider in the at leastone or more further release position(s).

In order to secure the engagement by means of the transverse pin, thetransverse pin may be mounted in short slots on the adjusting lever, inwhich the transverse pin is displaceable transversely to itslongitudinal direction. By means of leg springs supported on theadjusting lever, the transverse pin can in this case be subjected to aspring force in the direction of the detent recesses, so that the pinsecurely engages in the detent recesses when the adjusting lever ispivoted into the corresponding release position.

In the case of ski-touring bindings with a pivotable ski boot carrier,the binding jaws are fastened on the ski boot carrier and hold the skiboot independently of whether the binding is in a climbing position or adownhill position. In the case of ski-touring bindings of the presenttechnical field, on the other hand, the heel region of the ski boot isreleased from the automatic heel unit for climbing. This often entailsthe problem of suitably locking and releasing further bindingcomponents, such as for example a ski brake or a crampon, so that theyare respectively in an activated or deactivated state in the climbingposition, while their function is intended to be deactivated oractivated in the downhill position. Also conceivable is an actuation ofcomponents of the ski in dependence on the state of the automatic heelunit, such as for example a stiffness adjustment according to whetherthe binding is in a climbing position or a downhill position.

To solve this problem, the automatic heel unit according to theinvention therefore preferably has an actuating mechanism with anactuating element for a further component, in particular of theautomatic heel unit but also of the ski binding or of the ski, theactuating mechanism being formed and coupled to the adjusting lever, inparticular to the slider, in such a way that the actuating element isextended into an activated position and retracted into a deactivatedposition in dependence on a position of the pivoting, lever. The pivotedposition of the adjusting lever at a given time, and consequently thestate of the automatic heel unit at a given time, can be seen from theslider in a simple way. The fact that the actuating element is coupledto the slider allows it to be brought into different positions by theslider according to the respectively current pivoted position of theadjusting lever. A number of activated positions, in which the actuatingelement is for example extended to differing amounts, is alsoconceivable here.

A particularly simple configuration of the actuating mechanism isobtained if the actuating element is displaceably guided on the basepart or the intermediate piece, for example in the longitudinaldirection. In this case, the actuating element itself may for examplehave a displacing guide in the form of a groove or a slot, in which theslider additionally engages. On account of the relative inclination, thedisplacing guide of the actuating element experiences a displacement asa result of a displacement of the slider in the slotted link. Suitablearrangement of the groove or the slot of the actuating element withrespect to the guideway of the slotted link consequently allows theactuating element to be displaced in the longitudinal direction in thedependence on the displaced position of the slider.

Overall, in this case the adjusting lever, as a multifunctional element,performs not only the adjusting function of the automatic heel unit anda possibly provided function as a climbing aid, but also a function forlocking or actuating a further component, such as for example a skibrake. The multipurpose use of the adjusting lever consequently allowsthe structural design of the automatic heel unit to be simplifiedfurther and also allows it to be made lighter.

With preference, the actuating element in this case comprises a catch ora slide, which is in the deactivated position in the locking position ofthe adjusting lever and in the activated position in the releaseposition of the adjusting lever. With preference, in the activatedposition the catch or slide is extended in the forward direction in sucha way that it can interact with the further component, such as forexample a ski brake, which is arranged in front of the automatic heelunit, for example for locking. The catch may in this case be formed insuch a way that, in the activated position it can be elasticallydeflected and thus makes possible a snapping-in engagement, for exampleof an actuating member of the further component. In the deactivatedposition, the catch or slide is preferably withdrawn into the automaticheel unit, so that no interaction with the further component can takeplace. Depending on the nature of the further component to be actuated,the activated and deactivated positions may however also be changedover, i.e. the catch is retracted in the activated position and extendedin the deactivated position, so that for example a locking effect isobtained by the extended catch or slide in the downhill position.

In a preferred embodiment, a ski brake with a braking member is providedas a further component on the automatic heel unit, and is preferablyarranged in front of the automatic heel unit in the longitudinaldirection of the ski, preferably on the base part, in particular on abaseplate of the base part. In this case, the braking member is movablebetween a braking position, in which the braking member projects beyondthe underside of the ski, and a rest position, the braking member beingassigned an actuating member, which is actuated in such a way that thebraking member goes over from the braking position into the restposition when the heel region of the ski boot is lowered toward the skiwhen stepping into the binding. In this case, the actuating member has adetent clearance, in which the actuating element of the actuatingmechanism can engage in the activated position and can thus block theactuating member of the ski brake. In this way it is ensured that theski brake can be locked in the rest position in the at least one or moreclimbing position(s) of the automatic heel unit, and thus does nothinder climbing when the heel of the ski boot is lifted off. In thedownhill position, the actuating element is brought out of the detentclearance and the ski brake is thereby unlocked. If the ski boot is thenreleased from the heel jaw on account of a safety release, the unlockedski brake can go over into the braking position in the manner of knownski brakes.

Further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of theinvention emerge from the following detailed description and the patentclaims in their entirety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings that are used to explain the exemplary embodiment:

FIGS. 1 a, b each show an oblique view of an automatic heel unitaccording to the invention in a downhill position;

FIGS. 2 a, b each show an oblique view of the automatic heel unit in afirst climbing position;

FIGS. 3 a, b each show an oblique view of the automatic heel unit in asecond climbing position;

FIGS. 4 a, b each show an oblique view of the automatic heel unit in athird climbing position;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded representation of the automatic heel unit;

FIGS. 6 a, b show two central cross sections in the longitudinaldirection of the automatic heel unit;

FIG. 7 shows a frontal view of the automatic heel unit, seen from thefront;

FIGS. 8 a, b show two further cross sections of the automatic heel unit;

FIGS. 9 a-e show central cross sections in the longitudinal direction ofthe automatic heel unit together with a ski boot;

FIGS. 10 a-d show cross sections in the longitudinal direction of theautomatic heel unit together with a ski boot;

FIG. 11 shows an oblique view of a further automatic heel unit accordingto the invention for a ski-touring binding in a climbing position, withthe adjusting lever in a release position;

FIG. 12 shows an oblique view of the automatic heel unit in the downhillposition, with the adjusting lever in the locking position, the soleholder being shown without a housing;

FIG. 13 shows an exploded representation of the automatic heel unit;

FIG. 14 shows a central cross section in the longitudinal direction ofthe automatic heel unit in the downhill position, with the adjustinglever in the locking position, with a locked ski boot in the ski-touringbinding;

FIG. 15 shows a central cross section in the longitudinal direction ofthe automatic heel unit in a first climbing position (first walkingstep), with the adjusting lever in a first release position;

FIG. 16 shows a central cross section in the longitudinal direction ofthe automatic heel unit in a further climbing position (second walkingstep with climbing aid function), with the adjusting lever in a further,second release position;

FIG. 17 shows a central cross section in the longitudinal direction ofthe automatic heel unit in the downhill position, with the adjustinglever in the locking position, without a ski boot in the ski-touringbinding;

FIG. 18 shows a central cross section in the longitudinal directionthrough a further embodiment of a catch of the actuating device andthrough a further embodiment of the ski brake (substantially withoutfurther parts of the automatic heel unit) and

FIGS. 19 a, b show two plan views of a further automatic heel unitaccording to the invention, in which the heel holder is aligned in thelongitudinal direction of the ski in the downhill position and is turnedat a right angle to the longitudinal direction of the ski about an axissubstantially perpendicular to the ski in the at least one climbingposition.

In principle, the same parts are provided with the same designations inthe figures.

WAYS OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b each show an oblique view of an automatic heel unit 11according to the invention for a ski-touring binding. This automaticheel unit 11 may be used together with an automatic front unit for aski-touring binding. In the case of such a ski-touring binding, in itstoe region, a ski boot is mounted on the automatic front unit pivotablyabout an axis aligned horizontally in the transverse direction of theski. Various such automatic front units are obtainable on the market.Since such an automatic front unit is not part of the present invention,it is not shown here.

In FIG. 1 a, the automatic heel unit 11 is shown from obliquely thefront, while in FIG. 1 b it is shown from obliquely the rear. In bothfigures, the automatic heel unit 11 is in a downhill position and isshown mounted on a surface 501 of a ski 500. To provide an overview,however, not the entire ski 500 is shown, but only a rectangular,board-like detail of the ski 500 in the region of the automatic heelunit 11. The orientation of the automatic heel unit 11 is defined by howit is mounted on the ski 500. Thus, the automatic heel unit 11 ismounted on the surface 501 of the ski 500. Since this surface 501 isaligned in the upward direction, upward and downward are also definedfor the automatic heel unit 11. Because the automatic heel unit 11 ispart of a ski binding and can hold a heel 601 of a ski boot 600 (notshown here), the designations front and rear are also defined in thecase of the automatic heel unit 11. They respectively mean in thedirection of the ski tip and in the direction of the end of the ski 500.

The additional representation of the ski 500 makes the structure andoperating mode of the automatic heel unit 11 easier to understand. Thus,the automatic heel unit 11 comprises a base element 12, which has anelongated, plate-like, substantially rectangular form with a first and asecond main area 300.1, 300.2 (see FIG. 5). This base element 12 isaligned with its longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis ofthe ski 500, with the first main area 300.1 mounted facing downwardtoward the surface 501 of the ski 500. Consequently, a second main area300.2 of the base element 12 is facing upward. Along both longitudinaledges of the base element 12, guide rails 302.1, 302.2 run in an upperregion of the base element. They face outward in a plane alignedparallel to the second main area 300.2. That is to say that they arealigned sideways from the ski. On the guide rails 302.1, 302.2 of thebase element 12, a carriage 13 is mounted displaceably in thelongitudinal direction. For this purpose, on its longitudinal edges thecarriage 13 has guide grooves, with which it reaches around the guiderails 302.1, 302.1 on both sides of the base element 12.

In a rear region of the carriage 13, arranged on the carriage 13 is aheel holder 14, which faces upward in a substantially block-like manner.In the present exemplary embodiment, this heel holder 14 is produced inone piece together with the carriage 13. However, there is also thepossibility that, in a variant, the heel holder 14 and the carriage 13are produced as separate units.

In a front region of the heel holder 14, two levers 15.1, 15.2 aremounted in vertical, lateral notches. These levers 15.1, 15.2 areelongated and aligned substantially vertically. Both levers 15.1, 15.2are each mounted in a middle region on the heel holder 14 pivotablyabout an axis 16.1, 16.2 aligned in the longitudinal direction of theski. Correspondingly, the two levers 15.1, 15.2 can be pivotedapproximately about these axes 16.1, 16.2 in the transverse direction ofthe ski. In an upper region, both levers 15.1, 15.2 each have a pin17.1, 17.2, pointing in the longitudinal direction of the ski. Bypivoting the levers 15.1, 15.2, these pins 17.1, 17.2 can be movedsubstantially horizontally in the transverse direction of the ski. Forexample, in this way the two pins 17.1, 17.2 can be moved toward oneanother or moved away from one another.

The two pins 17.1, 17.2 serve the purpose of arresting the ski boot 600in its heel region in a position lowered toward the ski 500 when theautomatic heel unit 11 is in the downhill position. For this purpose,the ski boot 600 should have in its heel region two clearances forinteracting with the two pins 17.1, 17.2. These clearances should beopen in the downward direction, in order that, when there is a safetyrelease in the forward direction, the ski boot 600 can be moved awayfrom the pins 17.1, 17.2 in the upward direction. Moreover, the twoclearances in the heel 601 of the ski boot 600 should each have a detentrecess, in which the pins 17.1, 17.2 can engage for arresting the heel601 of the ski boot 600. In this case, the arresting of the ski boot 600is achieved by the two pins 17.1, 17.2 being pressed toward one anotherby a force, whereby they hold one another in the corresponding detentrecess. For a safety release in the forward direction, this force mustbe overcome, by the two pins 17.1, 17.2 being pressed apart until theski boot 600 can be moved away from the pins 17.1, 17.2 in the upwarddirection. Corresponding ski boots 600 are obtainable on the market.

The automatic heel unit 11 comprises an adjusting lever 18, which isformed substantially in a horseshoe-shaped manner. At both its freeends, this adjusting lever 18 is mounted on a metal plate 20 pivotablyabout an axis 19 aligned horizontally in the transverse direction of theski. This metal plate 20 is arranged between the base element 12 and thecarriage 13 and comprises in a rear region two lobes, which reachthrough lateral slits 37.1, 37.2 in the carriage 13 and are bentperpendicularly upward on both sides of the heel holder 14 (see FIG. 5in this respect). The free ends of the adjusting lever 18 are mounted onthese two lobes.

In FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, the automatic heel unit 11 is shown in thedownhill position. In this position, the adjusting lever 18 has beenpivoted downward in the rearward direction and aligned pointing to therear substantially in the horizontal direction. It consequently reachesaround the heel holder 14 from the rear.

The automatic heel unit 11 further comprises a ski brake 21. The skibrake 21 has two arms 22.1, 22.2, which are each produced substantiallyfrom a metal bar. In FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, both arms 22.1, 22.2 arepointing with their free ends to the rear in the horizontal direction.Consequently, the ski brake 21 is in a rest position. The ski brake 21can be activated by the free ends of the two arms 22.1, 22.2 beingpivoted downward beyond an underside of the ski 500. This pivotingmovement is made possible by the two arms 22.1, 22.2 being mounted in afront region in front of the heel holder 14 on the carriage 13 pivotablyabout a horizontal axis aligned in the transverse direction of the ski.For this purpose, the two arms 22.1, 22.2 each have a region bent atright angles toward the center of the ski, in which they are mountedrotatably about themselves between the carriage 13 and a supportingelement 23. In the region of the center of the ski, however, the twoarms 22.1, 22.2 do not go over into each other, but are in turn bentforward at right angles, where they are held together by a tread spur24. If, consequently, the ski brake 21 is activated, the free ends ofthe arms 22.1, 22.2 are thus pivoted downward beyond the underside ofthe ski 500, while the tread spur 24 is lifted off upward from the restof the automatic heel unit 11 (also see in this respect FIGS. 6 a and 6b).

It can be seen in FIG. 1 b that the automatic heel unit 11 comprises ina lower, rear region a first adjusting screw 25, arranged between thebase element 12 and the carriage 13. This adjusting screw 25 is alignedin the longitudinal direction of the ski. It makes possible the settingof a forward position of the carriage 13 in the longitudinal directionof the ski in relation to the baseplate 12. It can also be seen in FIG.1 b that the automatic heel unit 11 comprises a second adjusting screw26, which is let into the heel holder 14 in vertical alignment behindthe two levers 15.1, 15.2. The second adjusting screw 26 makes possiblethe setting of a force that is required in order to press the two pins17.1, 17.2 apart when the two levers 15.1, 15.2 are pivoted with respectto one another. Correspondingly, this adjusting screw 26 makes possiblea setting of the force that has to be overcome for a safety release inthe forward direction.

As already represented in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, FIGS. 2 a and 2 b each showan oblique view of the automatic heel unit 11 according to the inventionfor a ski-touring binding. The automatic heel unit 11 is in turn mountedon the ski 500. In FIG. 2 a, the automatic heel unit 11 is shown fromobliquely the front, while in FIG. 2 b it is shown from obliquely therear. By contrast with FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b theautomatic heel unit 11 is in a first climbing position. In this firstclimbing position, the adjusting lever 18 has been pivoted slightlyupward in the forward direction. Moreover, in comparison with thedownhill position (see FIGS. 1 a and 1 b), the carriage 13 has beendisplaced in the rearward direction with respect to the base element 12.As a result, the heel holder 14 has also been displaced together withthe pins 17.1, 17.2 in the rearward direction. In this rearwardlydisplaced position of the carriage 13, the pins 17.1, 17.2 have beenmoved out from the clearances in the heel 601 of a ski boot 600 (notshown here) held in the ski-touring binding. Correspondingly, as aresult the ski boot 600 is now only held in the automatic front unit(not shown here) belonging to the ski-touring binding. Since, in its toeregion, the ski boot 600 is mounted in the automatic front unitpivotably about a horizontal axis aligned in the transverse direction ofthe ski, as a result the heel 601 of the ski boot 600 can be lifted offfrom the automatic heel unit 11 and lowered again onto the automaticheel unit 11. In this case, the sole of the ski boot 600 can be loweredas far as the supporting element 23. In this way, a walking movement ismade possible for the skier.

As already represented in FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, 2 a and 2 b, FIGS. 3 a and 3 beach show an oblique view of the automatic heel unit 11 according to theinvention for a ski-touring binding, which is mounted on a ski 500. InFIG. 3 a, the automatic heel unit 11 is shown from obliquely the front,while in FIG. 3 b it is shown from obliquely the rear. As a differencefrom FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, 2 a and 2 b, the automatic heel unit 11 in FIGS. 3a and 3 b is in a second climbing position. In this second climbingposition, the adjusting lever 18 has been pivoted slightly furtherupward in the forward direction than in the first climbing position (seeFIGS. 2 a and 2 b). As already in the first climbing position, incomparison with the downhill position (see FIGS. 1 a and 1 b), thecarriage 13 has been displaced in the rearward direction with respect tothe base element 12. As a result, the heel holder 14 has also beendisplaced together with the pins 17.1, 17.2 in the rearward direction.Since, in its toe region, a ski boot 600 (not shown here) held in theski-touring binding is mounted in the automatic front unit pivotablyabout a horizontal axis aligned in the transverse direction of the ski,as already in the first climbing position the heel 601 of the ski boot600 can be lifted off from the automatic heel unit 11 and lowered againonto the automatic heel unit 11. As a difference from the first climbingposition, however, in the second climbing position the adjusting lever18 has been pivoted into the path of movement of the ski boot 600. As aresult, the sole of the ski boot 600 cannot be lowered as far as thesupporting element 23, but can only be lowered as far as a first offset27 arranged on the adjusting lever 18, this first offset 27 beingarranged at a greater distance from the ski 500 than the supportingelement 23. Correspondingly, in this second climbing position the firstoffset 27 of the adjusting lever 18 has the effect of forming a firstclimbing aid, which makes it possible even on a slope for the skier towalk comfortably up the incline.

As already represented in FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, 2 a, 2 b, 3 a and 3 b, FIGS. 4a and 4 b each show an oblique view of the automatic heel unit 11according to the invention for a ski-touring binding that is mounted ona ski 500. In FIG. 4 a, the automatic heel unit 11 is shown fromobliquely the front, while in FIG. 4 b it is shown from obliquely therear. By contrast with FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, 2 a, 2 b, 3 a and 3 b, theautomatic heel unit 11 in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b is in a third climbingposition. In this third climbing position, the adjusting lever 18 hasbeen pivoted even slightly further upward in the forward direction thanin the second climbing position (see FIGS. 3 a and 3 b). As already inthe first and second climbing positions, in comparison with the downhillposition (see FIGS. 1 a and 1 b) the carriage 13 has been displaced inthe rearward direction with respect to the base element 12. As a result,the heel holder 14 is also displaced together with the pins 17.1, 17.2in the rearward direction. Since, in its toe region, a ski boot 600 (notshown here) held in the ski-touring binding is mounted in the automaticfront unit pivotably about a horizontal axis aligned in the transversedirection of the ski, as already in the first climbing position the heel601 of the ski boot 600 can be lifted off from the automatic heel unit11 and lowered again onto the automatic heel unit 11. As a differencefrom the second climbing position, however, in the third climbingposition the adjusting lever 18 has been pivoted slightly further intothe path of movement of the ski boot 600. As a result, the sole of theski boot 600 cannot be lowered as far as the first offset 27 of theadjusting lever 18, but can only be lowered as far as a second offset 28arranged on the adjusting lever 18, this second offset 28 being arrangedat a greater distance from the ski 500 than the first offset 27.Correspondingly, in this third climbing position the second offset 28 ofthe adjusting lever 18 has the effect of forming a second climbing aid,which makes it possible even on a steeper slope than in the case of thefirst climbing aid for the skier to walk comfortably up the incline.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded representation of the automatic heel unit 11according to the invention. The individual elements of the automaticheel unit 11 can correspondingly be easily seen. The view shows theautomatic heel unit 11 in the same way as in FIGS. 1 b, 2 b, 3 b and 4 bfrom obliquely the rear. By analogy with FIGS. 1 b, 2 b, 3 b and 4 b,designations for upper, lower, rear, front and in the longitudinaldirection relate to a ski 500 (not represented in FIG. 5) provided withthe automatic heel unit 11.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, the base element 12 has four mountingopenings 301.1, 301.2, 301.3, 301.4, which reach right through from itsfirst main area 300.1 to its upper, second main area 300.2. Thesemounting openings 301.1, 301.2, 301.3, 301.4 are distributed over themain areas 300.1, 300.2 of the base element 12. One of the openings301.1, 301.2, 301.3, 301.4 is respectively located on both sides in afront region and in a rear region of the base element 12. For mounting,a screw (not shown) is led through each of the openings 301.1, 301.2,301.3, 301.4 and is screwed to the ski 500. In order to be able tocountersink the screw heads in the base element 12, there are clearancesin the second, upper main area 300.2 of the base element 12 at a rim ofthese openings 301.1, 301.2, 301.3, 301.4.

It can also be seen in FIG. 5 that in the middle of the second main area300.2 of the base element 12 there is a clearance 303, which runs in thelongitudinal direction of the base element 12 over the entire baseelement 12. This clearance 303 has a semicircular cross section, therounding facing downward. In the front half of the base element 12, theclearance 303 is largely smooth on the inside. In the rear half, theclearance 303 has a threaded structure 304. This threaded structure 304is aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction of the base element 12and can receive a screw thread with a diameter corresponding to thediameter of the semicircular cross section of the clearance 303. Thefunctions of this clearance 303 comprise on the one hand that ofproviding guidance for a longitudinal displacement of the carriage 13 onthe base element 12 and on the other hand, as described further below,that of supporting the carriage 13 on the base element 12.

As already shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, the base element 12 has on eachside a guide rail 302.1, 302.2, both of which run in the longitudinaldirection of the ski. The carriage 13 is mounted displaceably in thelongitudinal direction of the ski on these two guide rails 302.1, 302.2.At the same time, it largely covers the second main area 300.2 of thebase element 12. As can be seen here in FIG. 5, the carriage 13 has inits downwardly directed area, which is facing the second main area 300.2of the base element 12, a clearance 29 running in the longitudinaldirection of the ski. In a way similar to the clearance 303 in the baseelement 12, this clearance 29 has in a middle region and rear region ahalf-round cross section, though here the rounding is facing upward. Thecross section of the clearance 29 in the carriage 13 is slightly smallerin the rearmost region of the clearance 29 than in the middle region ofthe clearance 29 (also see in this respect FIGS. 6 a and 6 b). Atransition between the rearmost region and the middle region of theclearance 29 is step-like. By contrast with the clearance 303 in thebase element 12, the clearance 29 in the carriage 13 also has a frontregion with a rectangular cross section. The transition from the frontregion to the middle region of the clearance 29 is likewise step-shaped.Otherwise, the clearance 29 in the carriage 13 is substantially smooth.At the front end of the carriage 13, the clearance 29 in the carriage 13is delimited in the forward direction by a stop 45 (also see FIGS. 6 aand 6 b). This stop 45 has a half-round cross section and, facingdownward, fits into the clearance 303 in the base element 12. In thisstop 45 there is formed a circular opening, aligned in the longitudinaldirection of the ski.

When the carriage 13 is mounted on the two guide rails 302.1, 302.2 onthe base element 12, the clearance 303 in the base element 12 and theclearance 29 in the carriage 13 run one over the other and togetherproduce an opening between the base element 12 and the carriage 13 thatis aligned in the longitudinal direction of the ski. The first adjustingscrew 25 is guided in this opening. For this purpose, the firstadjusting screw 25 has a long shank with a circular cross section. In amiddle region, the first adjusting screw 25 has a screw thread 30, whichcan interact with the threaded structure 304 of the clearance 303 of thebase element 12. In an end region at the rear end of the first adjustingscrew 25, the adjusting screw 25 has a smooth region, which has asmaller diameter than the screw thread 30. This end region fits into theopening between the carriage 13 and the base element 12 and can beturned from the rear, from outside. Correspondingly, the adjusting screw25 can be screwed forward and back in the longitudinal direction of theski from outside in the opening between the carriage 13 and the baseelement 12. As already mentioned, the clearance 29 in the carriage 13 islargely smooth, though in its rearmost region its cross section isslightly smaller than in its middle region. As a result, the openingbetween the carriage 13 and the base element 12 is smaller in the rearregion of the carriage 13 than in the front region. To be more precise,the clearance 29 is so small in the rear region of the carriage 13 thatthe carriage 13 abuts with the rear region against the screw thread 30of the first adjusting screw 25 and is stopped when it is moved forwardon the base element 12. This correspondingly has the effect of forming astop 46 (see FIGS. 6 a and 6 b), beyond which the carriage 13 cannot bemoved in the forward direction. This stop 46 is adjustable in thelongitudinal direction of the ski, since the first adjusting screw 25can be screwed forward and back in the longitudinal direction of the skibetween the base element 12 and the carriage 13.

As already in the end region of the adjusting screw 25, in a frontregion of the first adjusting screw 25 there is a smooth region with acircular cross section. However, the diameter of this front region issmaller than the diameter of the rear region of the first adjustingscrew 25. An annular disk 31 is fitted onto this front region. Moreover,this front region is introduced from the rear into a spiral spring 32,which is arranged in the opening between the base element 12 and thecarriage 13 such that it is aligned in the longitudinal direction of theski. In this case, the disk 31 is supported in the rearward direction bythe screw thread 30 of the first adjusting screw 25 and in the forwarddirection forms a stop for the spiral spring 32.

In the front region of the clearance 29 of the carriage 13, which has arectangular cross section, an element 33 with a substantiallyrectangular cross section is guided in the longitudinal direction of theski. This element 33 has an elongated form and is aligned in thelongitudinal direction of the ski. In a front region, the element 33 hasa stud 34, which is aligned in the longitudinal direction of the ski andhas a round cross section. In the mounted state of the automatic heelunit 11, the stud 34 is mounted in the opening in the stop 45 at thefront end of the carriage 13 (also see FIGS. 6 a and 6 b). In adownwardly directed area of the element 33 there is a clearance 35. Thisclearance 35 is aligned in the longitudinal direction of the ski and hasa semicircular cross section. The width of the clearance 35 correspondsto the width of the clearance 303 in the base element. The clearance 35reaches from the rear end of the element 33 into the vicinity of thefront end of the element 33. In the forward direction, however, theclearance 35 is closed off by a stop 47. This stop 47 comprises a studpointing into the clearance 35 horizontally in the rearward direction.The stud 34 of the element 33 that is aligned in the forward directionin the longitudinal direction of the ski is likewise arranged on thisstop 47.

In the mounted state of the automatic heel unit 11, the spiral spring 32is mounted in the opening formed by the clearance 303 in the baseelement 12 and the clearance 35 in the element 33 such that it isaligned in the longitudinal direction of the ski. In this case, the studpointing in the rearward direction into the clearance 35 of the element33 protrudes into a front opening of the spiral spring 32.Correspondingly, the spiral spring 32 is arranged between the element 33and the adjusting screw 25 (also see in this respect FIGS. 6 a and 6 b).

As already shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, the metal plate 20 is mountedbetween the base element 12 and the carriage 13. As can be seen here inFIG. 5, the metal plate 20 has a middle region, which is alignedsubstantially parallel to the ski. At its front end, the metal plate 20is bent upward, so that, seen in the longitudinal direction of the ski,it has an upwardly directed arc which, at its forwardmost tip, pointsslightly downward again. As a result, a hook 44 is formed by the metalplate 20. Furthermore, in its rear region this metal plate 20 has at thesides two perpendicularly upwardly bent lobes, in which the adjustinglever 18 is mounted pivotably about the axis 19 aligned horizontally inthe transverse direction of the ski. For this purpose, the twoperpendicularly upwardly bent lobes of the metal plate 20 reach upwardthrough two lateral slits 37.1, 37.2 in the carriage 13 to the sides ofthe heel holder 14. At its rear end, the metal plate 20 has aperpendicularly downwardly bent region, which has a round opening 36aligned in the longitudinal direction of the ski. In the mounted stateof the automatic heel unit 11, the front region of the first adjustingscrew 25 is led through this opening 36. In this case, the disk 31 is infront of the opening 36. Correspondingly, the metal plate 20 isconnected to the base element 12 by the adjustable first adjusting screw25. Consequently, the metal plate 20 can be displaced with respect tothe base element 12 in the longitudinal direction of the ski byadjusting the first adjusting screw 25. At the same time, the rear stop46 for the carriage 13 is thereby also displaced in the longitudinaldirection of the ski. Since the carriage 13 is also pressed in theforward direction by the spiral spring 32, the carriage 13 is pressedagainst the rear stop 46, whereby a forward position of the carriage 13is also adjusted by adjusting the first adjusting screw 25.

When the automatic heel unit 11 is fastened together with an automaticfront unit (not shown) on a ski 500 and together with this automaticfront unit forms a ski-touring binding, the distance between theautomatic front unit and the heel holder 14 of the automatic heel unit11 should be adapted to a length of the sole of the ski boot 600 (notshown here) to be held in the ski-touring binding. On account of theinteraction of the adjusting screw 25 with the base element 12, thecarriage 13 and the spiral spring 32, this can take place in a simpleway, since the forward position of the carriage 13 can be adjusted inthe longitudinal direction of the ski by the first adjusting screw 25.Turning the first adjusting screw 25 allows the forward position of thecarriage 13, when seen in the longitudinal direction of the ski, to bechosen in such a way that the pins 17.1, 17.2 of the two levers 15.1,15.2 engage in the clearances in the heel 601 of the ski boot 600 andthat the heel holder 14 just makes engaging contact with the heel 601 ofthe ski boot 600. When the automatic heel unit 11 is in the downhillposition (see FIGS. 1 a and 1 b), in the case of a ski-touring bindingthat is set in this way the pins 17.1, 17.2 of the two levers 15.1, 15.2of the heel holder 14 engage to the maximum extent in the clearances inthe heel 601 of the ski boot 600. It should be noted that the firstadjusting screw 25 makes possible such a setting of the ski-touringbinding on ski boots 600 of various boot sizes.

In the downhill position, the carriage 13 is pressed in the forwarddirection against the rear stop 46 by the forwardly pressing force ofthe spiral spring 32 (see FIGS. 6 a and 6 b). Starting from this forwardposition, the carriage 13 in the downhill position can, however, also bemoved on the base element 12 in the rearward direction within a dynamicregion against the forwardly directed force of the spiral spring 32.This displaceability serves the purpose that the position of thecarriage 12 and of the heel holder 14 can be dynamically adapted to adistance between the automatic front unit and the automatic heel unit 11if the ski is flexed upward at both ends during skiing. This dynamicpositional adaptation of the heel holder 14 within the dynamic regionhas the advantage that the forward position of the carriage 13 can beset in such a way that the heel holder 14 just makes engaging contactwith the heel 601 of the ski boot 600 and that a flexing of the ski isnevertheless possible. Since, thanks to this resilient movement alongthe dynamic region, the heel holder 14 adapts itself during skiingalways to be just flush with the heel 601 of the ski boot 600, the twopins 17.1, 17.2 also always engage to the same depth in the clearancesin the heel 601 of the ski boot 600 during skiing. As a result, optimumstarting conditions for a safety release that always remain constantlythe same are obtained during skiing.

In FIG. 5, the individual elements of the ski brake 21 are also shown.Thus, the two arms 22.1, 22.2 and the tread spur 24 can be seen.Moreover, it can be seen that the carriage 13 has in front of the heelholder 14 a horizontal area 38. The supporting element 23 is fastened onthis area 38. For fastening the supporting element 23, the area 38 hason each side in a front region a vertically aligned hole with a thread.Matching exactly, the supporting element 23 also has two correspondingholes. The two holes in the supporting element 23 each have a clearancein their upper rim, in order that a screw head can be countersunktherein. For fastening the supporting element 23 on the horizontal area38 of the carriage 13, a screw is placed into both holes of thesupporting element 23 and screwed with the thread in the correspondinghole in the area 38. In this case, the two arms 22.1, 22.2 of the skibrake 21 are mounted rotatably about an axis aligned horizontally in thetransverse direction of the ski in corresponding clearances in the area38 of the carriage 13 and in the supporting element 23 that run in thetransverse direction of the ski between the supporting element 23 andthe carriage 13. Also arranged between the carriage 13 and thesupporting element 23 is an adjusting spring (not shown), which byprestressing urges activation of the ski brake 21. Here in FIG. 5, thetwo arms 22.1, 22.2 of the ski brake 21 are shown as separate elements,which are both each arranged with an end on a tread spur 24. As avariant of this, however, there is also the possibility that the twoarms 22.1, 22.2 of the ski brake 21 are produced from one piece, i.e. goover into each other under or in the tread spur 24. In this variant, thetwo arms 22.1, 22.2 may be mounted such that they are braced withrespect to one another between the supporting element 23 and thecarriage 13, the prestressing for activating the ski brake 21 beingproduced by this mutual bracing of the two arms 22.1, 22.2 and not bythe adjusting spring. In this variant, therefore, it is possible todispense with the adjusting spring for urging activation of the skibrake 21.

When the automatic heel unit 11 is in the downhill position, the skibrake 21 can be activated by the adjusting spring as soon as the treadspur 24 can be moved in the upward direction. In the event of a safetyrelease of the automatic heel unit 11, this is the case when the heel601 of the ski boot 600 is released from the automatic heel unit 11. Asa result, a region above the tread spur 24 is released from the sole ofthe ski boot 600, whereby the ski brake 21 can be activated by theadjusting spring.

However, when the automatic heel unit 11 is in one of the three climbingpositions, the carriage 13 has been moved in the rearward direction withrespect to the base element 12. Together with the carriage 13, the skibrake 21 has in this case also been moved in the rearward direction.This allows the hook 44, which is arranged at the front end of the metalplate 20, to interact with a counterpart 48 (see FIGS. 6 a and 6 b) onthe tread spur 24 and keep the ski brake 21 arrested in the restposition. If the ski brake 21 is activated and the automatic heel unit11 is in one of the three climbing positions, the ski brake 21 can betransferred into the rest position by pressing down the tread spur 24.In this case, the counterpart 48 on the tread spur 24 can snap in at thehook 44, whereby the ski brake 21 is arrested in the rest position.After that, the ski brake 21 can be released again by transferring theautomatic heel unit 11 into the downhill position, since, as a result,the carriage 13 is displaced together with the ski brake 21 in theforward direction with respect to the base element 12 and the metalplate 20, whereby the counterpart 48 of the tread spur 24 is drawn awayfrom the hook 44 in the forward direction.

In FIG. 5, the two levers 15.1, 15.2 can be seen in their entirety. Bothlevers 15.1, 15.2 are each produced as one part with the correspondingpin 17.1, 17.2. The two levers 15.1, 15.2 are aligned substantiallyvertically. The pins 17.1, 17.2 are arranged pointing forward in thelongitudinal direction of the ski at the upper ends of the levers 15.1,15.2.

Both levers 15.1, 15.2 are each mounted in their middle pivotably aboutan axis 16.1, 16.2 aligned in the longitudinal direction of the ski. Attheir lower ends, both levers 15.1, 15.2 each have a horizontallyrearwardly pointing offset 39.1, 39.2. In this case, the two offsets39.1, 39.2 each run downward toward the center of the ski, when seen inthe transverse direction of the ski.

As already mentioned, the two levers 15.1, 15.2 are each mounted in thefront region of the heel holder 14 in vertical, lateral notches. In thiscase, the offsets 39.1, 39.2 of the levers 15.1, 15.2 point rearwardtoward a middle of the heel holder 14. Arranged vertically aligned inthis middle of the heel holder 14 is a ram 40. This ram 40 issubstantially rectangularly shaped. In its lower region, it has abeveled lateral corner, in order to be able to interact optimally withthe two offsets 39.1, 39.2 of the levers 15.1, 15.2 (also see FIG. 8 b).In its upper region, on the other hand, the ram 40 has an upwardly openopening. Arranged in this opening is a vertically aligned spiral spring41. This spiral spring 41 is prestressed with a downwardly directedforce. For this purpose, it abuts in the upward direction against anadjusting nut 42, which is screwed onto the second adjusting screw 26.The second adjusting screw 26 is in turn supported from below against aninner side of the heel holder 14 and can be turned through an opening 43in the upper area of the heel holder 14.

By turning the second adjusting screw 26, the adjusting nut 42 can bescrewed in the upward or downward direction. In order to prevent theadjusting nut 42 from being turned together with the second adjustingscrew 26, the adjusting nut 42 has a downwardly bent metal strip, whichis laterally guided in a rearwardly directed clearance of the ram 40.The ram 40 is in turn hindered from turning together with the secondadjusting screw 26 within the heel holder 14 by its substantiallyrectangular form.

Adjusting the position of the adjusting nut 42 on the second adjustingscrew 26 has the effect of setting the force with which the ram 40 ispressed by the spring 41 downward against the two offsets 39.1, 39.2 ofthe two levers 15.1, 15.2. Correspondingly, the force that is requiredto move the two pins 17.1, 17.2 apart can be set by turning the secondadjusting screw 26. In this way, the force that should be overcome for asafety release in the forward direction can be set by turning the secondadjusting screw 26.

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b each show a cross section through the automatic heelunit 11 according to the invention. This cross section is a verticallyaligned longitudinal cross section extending through the center of theautomatic heel unit 11 as seen in the transverse direction of the ski.In both figures, the automatic heel unit 11 is shown in the downhillposition.

In FIG. 6 a, the ski brake 21 is shown activated, while in FIG. 6 b itis shown in the rest position. In FIG. 6 a it can be seen how, with theactivated ski brake 21, the arms 22.2 reach out downwardly beyond theski 500 and how at the same time the tread spur 24 has been lifted offfrom the ski 13 in the upward direction. In the cross-sectionalrepresentation there can also be seen the counterpart 48, which isarranged on the tread spur 24 and can interact with the hook 44 of themetal plate 20 in the three climbing positions of the automatic heelunit 11. Since the automatic heel unit 11 is represented in the downhillposition both in FIG. 6 a and in FIG. 6 b, however, the carriage 13together with the ski brake 21 has been pushed into the forwardposition. Correspondingly, the counterpart 48 and the hook 44 are at adistance from one another. As a result, the counterpart 48 and the hook44 also cannot interact when the ski brake is in the rest position (FIG.6 b).

Along with the ski brake 21, in both FIGS. 6 a and 6 b it can be seenhow the spiral spring 32 is restrained between the first adjusting screw25 and the rearwardly directed stud of the element 33. It can also beseen how the metal plate 20 is supported with its vertically downwardlybent region and the opening 36 in the rearward direction on the screwthread 30 of the first adjusting screw 25 and how the disk 31 on thefirst adjusting screw 25 is arranged between the opening 36 of the metalplate 20 and the spiral spring 32. At the front of the automatic heelunit 11 it can also be seen how the element 33 abuts with its forwardlyaligned stud 34, arranged on the stop 47, against the carriage 13. Inthis case, the forwardly directed stud 34 is led through the opening inthe front stop 45 of the carriage 13, the main body of the element 33abutting against the front stop 45 of the carriage 13.

As already described, the carriage 13, which is displaceable in thelongitudinal direction of the ski on the base element 12, is pressed inthe forward direction by the spiral spring 32. It thereby abuts with anoffset between the middle region and the rear region of the clearance 29against the screw thread 30 of the first adjusting screw 25 and ishindered from further movement in the forward direction. The rear stop46, formed by the rear region of the clearance 29 and the screw thread30, can be easily seen.

In the cross-sectional representations of FIGS. 6 a and 6 b it can alsobe seen furthermore how the ram 40 is arranged with the spiral spring41, the adjusting nut 42 and the second adjusting screw 26 in the heelholder 14. It can be seen here that the opening in the ram 40 passesthrough from the top almost to the bottom, whereby the spiral spring 41arranged in this opening abuts in a lower region of the ram 40.Correspondingly, the spiral spring 41 takes up a large part of theheight of the heel holder 14.

FIG. 7 shows a frontal view of the automatic heel unit 11 according tothe invention from the front. In this representation, the automatic heelunit 11 is shown in the downhill position. It can be seen how the twolevers 15.1, 15.2 are mounted pivotably about the axes 16.1, 16.2. Itcan also be seen that the heel holder 14 has in the region of the pins17.1, 17.2 notches 49.1, 49.2 laterally in the front side. These twonotches 49.1, 49.2 make it possible for the two pins 17.1, 17.2 to beable to reach out from the front side of the heel holder 14, pointingforward from the levers 15.1, 15.2 mounted in the lateral notches in theheel holder 14. If the ski boot 600 (not shown) is arrested in theautomatic heel unit 11, the two pins 17.1, 17.2 have been pivoted inwardas far as the inner rim of the notches 49.1, 49.2. In the representationshown, however, the automatic heel unit 11 is just in the releasingphase of a safety release in the forward direction. Correspondingly, thetwo pins 17.1, 17.2, and consequently the levers 15.1, 15.2, have beenpivoted apart. This can be seen from the fact that the pins 17.1, 17.2are not in contact with the inner rim of the notches 49.1, 49.2 butpivoted slightly outward.

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b show two further cross sections of the automatic heelunit 11 according to the invention. FIG. 8 a shows a vertically alignedlongitudinal cross section, which has been displaced to one side fromthe center of the automatic heel unit 11, as seen in the transversedirection of the ski, and extends through one of the two levers 15.2. Asa result, of this lever 15.2, the forwardly pointing pin 17.2 and therearwardly pointing offset 39.2 can be seen. In FIG. 8 b, on the otherhand, a cross section in the transverse direction of the ski isrepresented. This cross section extends through the ram 40 arranged inthe heel holder 14 and through the two offsets 39.1, 39.2. As a result,it can be seen that the ram 40 has on its underside two laterallybeveled edges 55.1, 55.2, which run laterally outward in the upwarddirection as seen from a center of the ski. With these edges 55.1, 55.2,the ram 40 presses onto the supports 39.1, 39.2 of the two levers 15.1,15.2 downward from above. The bevels of the edges 55.1, 55.2 and of theoffsets 39.1, 39.2 have the effect that the lower regions of the levers15.1, 15.2 are pressed apart. Since the two levers 15.1, 15.2 are eachmounted in their middle pivotably about the axes 16.1, 16.2 aligned inthe longitudinal axis of the ski, as a result the pins 17.1, 17.2arranged at the upper end of the levers 15.1, 15.2 are pressed towardone another. On account of this way in which the levers 15.1, 15.2 aremounted, the offsets 39.1, 39.2 are pressed toward one another whenthere is a safety release in the forward direction, because the two pins17.1, 17.2 are pressed apart. The bevel of the offsets 39.1, 39.2 and ofthe edges 55.1, 55.2 of the ram 40 has the effect that the ram 40 ispressed in the upward direction against the downwardly acting springforce by the pressing together of the two offsets 39.1, 39.2.

FIGS. 9 a, 9 b, 9 c, 9 d and 9 e each show a cross section through anautomatic heel unit 11 according to the invention and a ski boot 600,which is held in a ski-touring binding comprising the automatic heelunit 11 and an automatic front unit (not shown). The cross sectionsrespectively extend in a vertical plane in the longitudinal direction ofthe ski.

In FIG. 9 a, the automatic heel unit 11 is in the downhill position. Theadjusting lever 18 is pointing substantially horizontally rearward inthe longitudinal direction of the ski and the carriage 13 has beenpushed into its forward position with respect to the base element 12.The heel 601 of the ski boot 600 has been lowered almost as far as thesupporting element 23 and is arrested by the two pins 17.1, 17.2. Thedistance between the supporting element 23 and the sole of the ski boot600 depends on the ski boot 600 and may vary. In FIG. 9 a, this distancecannot be seen, since the ski boot 600 has a maximum possible heightbetween the clearances in the heel 601 and the sole. The sole of the skiboot 600 keeps the ski brake 21 in the rest position by keeping thetread spur 24 pressed in the downward direction. The heel holder 14adjoins the heel 601 of the ski boot 600 from the rear, just flush withit.

In FIG. 9 b, the automatic heel unit 11 is likewise in the downhillposition and the adjusting lever 18 is likewise pointing substantiallyhorizontally rearward in the longitudinal direction of the ski. Bycontrast with the representation in FIG. 9 a, however, here the carriage13 has been moved in the rearward direction all the way along thedynamic region. Correspondingly, the counterpart 48 of the tread spur 24engages the hook 44 of the metal plate 20. As can be seen from thefigure, the heel holder 14 has been moved so far in the rearwarddirection that the pins 17.2 have come out from the heel 601 of the skiboot 600. This does not correspond to an actual position of theautomatic heel unit 11. However, the figure illustrates how far thecarriage 13 can be moved along the dynamic region in the rearwarddirection. Correspondingly, the figure illustrates that the ski 500 canbe flexed upward very far at both ends (not shown here), the carriage 13being able to compensate for the resultant change in distance betweenthe automatic front unit and the heel holder 14 by movement along thedynamic region. However, the heel holder 14 can thereby always remain incontact with the heel 601 of the ski boot 600.

In FIG. 9 c, the automatic heel unit 11 is in the first climbingposition. The adjusting lever 18 is correspondingly pointing obliquelyupward in the rearward direction and the carriage 13 has been pushedinto its rearward position with respect to the base element 12.Correspondingly, the counterpart 48 of the tread spur 24 engages thehook 44 of the metal plate 20, whereby the ski brake 21 is kept in therest position even when the heel 601 of the ski boot 600 is not pressingthe tread spur 24 in the downward direction. Moreover, as a result, thepins 17.2 have come out from the heel 601 of the ski boot 600. The heel601 of the ski boot 600 can consequently be lifted off from the heelholder 11 in the upward direction. In the representation in FIG. 9 c,however, the heel 601 of the ski boot 600 is shown lowered onto thesupporting element 23.

In FIG. 9 d, the automatic heel unit 11 is in the second climbingposition. The adjusting lever 18 is correspondingly pointing slightlyfurther in the forward direction. As a result, the first offset 27 ofthe adjusting lever 18 has been pivoted into the path of movement of theheel 601 of the ski boot 600. The ski boot 600 consequently can nolonger be lowered toward the ski 500 as far as the supporting element23, but only as far as an angle. As already in the first climbingposition, the carriage 13 has been pushed into its rearward positionwith respect to the base element 12. Correspondingly, the counterpart 48of the tread spur 24 likewise engages the hook 44 of the metal plate 20.As a result, the ski brake 21 is kept in the rest position even when theheel 601 of the ski boot 600 is not pressing the tread spur 24 in thedownward direction.

In FIG. 9 e, the automatic heel unit 11 is in the third climbingposition. The adjusting lever 18 is correspondingly pointing obliquelyupward in the forward direction. As a result, the second offset 28 ofthe adjusting lever 18 has been pivoted into the path of movement of theheel 601 of the ski boot 600. The ski boot 600 consequently can nolonger be lowered toward the ski 500 as far as the first offset 27, butonly as far as a greater angle than in the second climbing position. Asalready in the first and second climbing positions, the carriage 13 hasbeen pushed into its rearward position with respect to the base element12. Correspondingly, the counterpart 48 of the tread spur 24 likewiseengages the hook 44 of the metal plate 20. As a result, the ski brake 21is kept in the rest position even when the heel 601 of the ski boot 600is not pressing the tread spur 24 in the downward direction.

As already in FIGS. 9 a, 9 b, 9 c, 9 d and 9 e, FIGS. 10 a, 10 b, 10 cand 10 d each show a cross section through an automatic heel unit 11according to the invention and a ski boot 600, which is held in aski-touring binding comprising the automatic heel unit 11 and anautomatic front unit (not shown). The cross sections shown in FIGS. 10a, 10 b, 10 c and 10 d likewise respectively extend in a vertical planein the longitudinal direction of the ski. By contrast with the crosssections shown in FIGS. 9 a, 9 b, 9 c, 9 d and 9 e, however, the crosssections shown here respectively extend laterally offset from the centerof the automatic heel unit 11. As a result, they respectively extendthrough a pin 17.2 of a lever 15.2.

FIGS. 10 a, 10 b, 10 c and 10 d illustrate how the carriage 13 can bedisplaced with respect to the base element 12 in the rearward directionby the adjusting lever 18 when the automatic heel unit 11 is transferredfrom the downhill position into one of the three climbing positions. Forthis purpose, the two arms of the adjusting lever 18 each have on theirinner side a lobe 56, which has three channels. In the downhillposition, these lobes 56 rest flat on a counterpart 57 of the carriage13, or the carriage 13 is pressed with this counterpart 57 from the rearin the forward direction against the lobes 56 (FIG. 10 a). When theautomatic heel unit 11 is brought into one of the three climbingpositions, the adjusting lever 18 is pivoted forward in the upwarddirection. As a result, the lobes 56, which are arranged on theadjusting lever 18 below the axis 19 of the adjusting lever 18, arepivoted in the rearward direction. Correspondingly, the carriage ispressed in the rearward direction against the spring force of the spiralspring 32. In order that the adjusting lever 18 remains arrested indifferent positions in the three climbing positions, the lobes 57 eachhave three channels lying one behind the other. These channels canengage in a front corner of the counterpart 57 of the carriage 13. As aresult, in the various climbing positions, the carriage 13 isrespectively kept in the rearward position and the adjusting lever 18 ispositioned in a way corresponding to the climbing position. As soon asthe adjusting lever 18 is again pivoted flat in the rearward direction,the lobes 56 are drawn away from the counterpart 57 of the carriage 13in the forward direction and the carriage 13 can be moved again in theforward direction by the spiral spring 32.

FIG. 11 shows an oblique view of a further automatic heel unit 1according to the invention for a ski-touring binding. The automatic heelunit 1 is shown mounted on a surface 501 of a ski 500. To preserve theoverview, however, not the entire ski 500 is shown, but only arectangular, board-like detail of the ski 500 in the region of theautomatic heel unit 1. The orientation of the automatic heel unit 1 isdefined by how it is mounted on the ski 500. Thus, the automatic heelunit 1 is mounted on the surface 501 of the ski 500. Since this surface501 is aligned in the upward direction, upward and downward are alsodefined for the automatic heel unit 1. Because the automatic heel unit 1is part of a ski binding and can hold a heel 601 of a ski boot 600 (notshown here), the designations front and rear are also defined in thecase of the automatic heel unit 1. They respectively mean in thedirection of the ski tip and in the direction of the end of the ski 500.

The additional representation of the ski 500 makes the structure andoperating mode of the automatic heel unit 1 easier to understand. Thus,the automatic heel unit 1 is mounted with a base part 2 on the surface501 of the ski 500. This base part 2 comprises a baseplate 3 and anintermediate piece 4. The baseplate 3 has an elongated, plate-like,substantially rectangular form. It is mounted on the surface 501 of theski 500 such that it is aligned with its longitudinal axis parallel to alongitudinal axis of the ski 500. In this case, a first main area 100.1of the baseplate 3 is facing downward and a second main area 100.2 isfacing upward. The first main area 100.1 thereby forms a mounting area,with which the base part 2 is mounted on the ski 500. On the second mainarea 100.2, the intermediate piece 4 is mounted resiliently in thelongitudinal direction. The mechanism of this resilient mounting and theinteraction of the baseplate 3 with the intermediate piece 4 are shownin detail in FIGS. 13 to 17. In FIG. 11 it can be seen that theintermediate piece 4 has two upwardly and slightly rearwardly directedarms 120.1, 120.2. These arms 120.1, 120.2 are arranged at a distancefrom one another such that they are parallel in the longitudinaldirection of the ski and symmetrical with respect to a central verticalplane and form between them a central gap, in which a catch 10 islocated. The arms 120.1, 120.2 are located above a region of thebaseplate 3 that is largely central in the longitudinal direction.

Along both longitudinal edges of the baseplate 3, guide rails 102.1,102.2 run in an upper region of the baseplate 3 (one of these guiderails 102.1 is concealed by further parts of the automatic heel unit 1and is shown in FIG. 13). They face outward in a plane aligned parallelto the second main area 100.2. That is to say that they are alignedsideways from the ski. On the guide rails 102.1, 102.2 of the baseplate3, a carriage 5 is mounted displaceably in the longitudinal direction.For this purpose, on its longitudinal edges the carriage 5 has guidegrooves, with which it reaches around the guide rails 102.1, 102.2 onboth sides of the baseplate 3.

In a front end region, the carriage 5 has on each side a side plate110.1, 110.2. In FIG. 11, the carriage 5 is arranged in relation to theintermediate piece 4 in such a way that the two side plates 110.1, 110.2enclose the two upwardly and slightly rearwardly directed arms 120.1,120.2 of the intermediate piece 4 on both sides symmetrically withrespect to a central vertical plane of the ski. The carriage 5 iscoupled to the intermediate piece 4 by means of an adjusting lever 6, asdescribed in detail further below.

The adjusting lever 6 is formed in a substantially horseshoe-shapedmanner. At free ends of both its arms, it has stub axles 130.1, 130.2that are inwardly directed, i.e. facing the other arm respectively (thestub axles are only shown in FIG. 13). These stub axles 130.1, 130.2engage laterally in corresponding clearances 135.1, 135.2 in the outersides of the two side plates 110.1, 110.2 at the front end of thecarriage 5. As a result, the stub axles 130.1, 130.2 interact togetherwith the clearances 135.1, 135.2 of the carriage 5 as a first bearing 50of the adjusting lever 6. A straight line leading through both stubaxles 130.1, 130.2 defines a first geometrical axis of rotation 51,about which the adjusting lever 6 is mounted rotatably on the firstbearing 50. Mounted on the carriage 5, this first geometrical axis ofrotation 51 is aligned parallel to the surface 501 of the ski 500 andtransversely to the longitudinal direction of the ski 500. In this case,the adjusting lever 6 can be righted about the first geometrical axis ofrotation 51 or lowered in the rearward direction, for example onto thesurface 501 of the ski 500, into a position largely parallel to the ski.Independently of the exact position of the adjusting lever 6, the firstgeometrical axis of rotation 51 lies here in front of a connection 133,in which the two arms of the adjusting lever 6 go over into one anotherin the manner of a horseshoe.

The adjusting lever 6 has in each of both arms an aperture 131.1, 131.2in the transverse direction, formed as a slot. These slots 131.1, 131.2are formed on the adjusting lever 6 slightly at a distance from the stubaxles 130.1, 130.2 in the direction of the connection 133 between thetwo arms and are arranged such that they are in line with one anotherwith respect to a direction parallel to the first axis of rotation 51.The slots 131.1, 131.2 thereby run largely parallel to an alignment ofthe two arms of the adjusting lever 6, are therefore aligned largelyradially with respect to the first axis of rotation 51. An axle bolt 7with a circular cross section is led through the two slots 131.1, 131.2.In this case, the length of the axle bolt 7 is chosen such that the axlebolt 7 connects the two slots 131.1, 131.2, but does not reach outlaterally beyond outer sides of the two arms. In the inner sides of thearms of the adjusting lever 6 there are at both slots 131.1, 131.2spring elements 132.1, 132.2 formed as leg springs (only shown in FIG.13). The spring elements 132.1 and 132.2 act with a spring force on theaxle bolt 7 in the slots 131.1 and 131.2 in the direction of the firstaxis of rotation 51. The position of the slots 131.1, 131.2 on the armsis chosen such that the axle bolt 7 is also pressed by the spring forceagainst the two side plates 110.1, 110.2 of the carriage 5. This has theeffect that, when the adjusting lever 6 is turned about the firstgeometrical axis of rotation 51, the axle bolt 7 slides over an upwardlydirected region of the two side plates 110.1, 110.2 under the pressureto which it is subjected. For this purpose, the upwardly directed regionof the two side plates 110.1, 110.2 substantially follows a circle thatis concentric with the first geometrical axis of rotation 51.

The two side plates 110.1, 110.2 each have three transverse recesses136.1, 136.2, 136.3, 136.4, 136.5, 136.6, which are aligned parallel tothe first axis of rotation 51 and in which the axle bolt 7 can engage onaccount of the spring force acting on it. This has the effect ofdefining altogether three pivoted positions, in which the adjustinglever 6 is righted (release positions). Adapted to the releasepositions, the adjusting lever 6 has on each of both arms three offsets134.1, 134.3, 134.5 and 134.2, 134.4, 134.6, which are arranged in pairs(134.1/134.2, 134.3/134.4, 134.5/134.6) at the same distance from thefirst axis of rotation 51. These offsets 134.1, 134.2, 134.3, 134.4,134.5, 134.6 are arranged on an upwardly or, depending on the pivotedposition, forwardly directed side of the adjusting lever 6. Depending onthe pivoted position of the adjusting lever 6, i.e. depending on inwhich of the transverse recesses 136.1, 136.2, 136.3, 136.4, 136.5,136.6, the axle bolt 7 is engaged, the offsets 134.1-134.6 are arrangedin pairs largely above the first axis of rotation 51 or above the firstbearing 50 and thereby form in pairs a horizontally aligned support fora heel 601 of a ski boot 600 held in the binding and released in theheel region. Moreover, the side plates 110.1 and 11.2 have two furtherdetent recesses 136.7 and 136.8, in which the axle bolt is arranged inthe locking position of the adjusting lever 6, i.e. when it has beenlowered completely in the rearward direction.

The axle bolt 7 not only connects the two arms of the adjusting lever 6and defines the position of the adjusting lever 6 but is also ledthrough apertures 121.1, 121.2 in the arms 120.1, 120.2 of theintermediate piece 4 that are formed as slots. The slots 121.1, 121.2thereby form a slotted link in which the axle bolt 7 is displaceablyguided as a slider and is supported on the intermediate piece 4. Theslots 121.1, 121.2 are described in detail on the basis of FIGS. 13 to17.

In FIG. 11 it can be seen that, in the upper region along the alignmentof the arms 120.1, 120.2 of the intermediate piece 4, the slots 121.1,121.2 are aligned such that they are inclined in the upward direction,in a direction largely perpendicular to the ski, and slightly in therearward direction. Together with the axle bolt 7, they form a secondbearing 52 of the adjusting lever 6, a longitudinal axis of the axlebolt 7 that is guided displaceably in the slots 121.1, 121.2 forming asecond geometrical axis of rotation 53 of the adjusting lever 6.

The bearing 52 in this case supports the adjusting lever 6 on theintermediate piece of the base part 2 and allows a displacement of theaxle bolt 7 in such a way that, when there is pivoting of the adjustinglever 6 mounted on the automatic heel unit 1 in the first bearing 50 andin the second bearing 52 about a geometrical pivoting axis at a giventime that is produced by the two bearings 50 and 52, a displacement ofthe carriage 5 takes place along the guide rails 102.1, 102.2 of thebaseplate 3 of the base part 2.

Thus, when the adjusting lever 6 is righted, the axle bolt 7 isdisplaced in the upward direction in the slots 121.1 and 121.2. Sincethe axle bolt 7 is guided in the slots 121.1, 121.2 of the intermediatepiece 4, it is thereby also guided to some extent in the rearwarddirection. The force exerted by the user on the adjusting lever 6 in theregion of the connection 133 when it is righted, largely in the forwarddirection, has the effect that the adjusting lever 6 undergoes via theaxle bolt 7 a normal force in the opposite direction that is applied bythe intermediate piece 4. The fact that the adjusting lever 6 issupported on the intermediate piece 4 by means of this normal forcemeans that the carriage 5 consequently undergoes a force in the rearwarddirection by way of the adjusting lever 6 via the axle stubs 130.1,130.2, arranged oppositely with respect to the axle bolt 7 of theconnection 133, and via the first bearing 50. Therefore, with respect tothe second axis of rotation 53 (at a given time) defined by the positionat a given time of the axle bolt 7 in the slots 121.1, 121.2, theadjusting lever 6 forms a rocker, the one (front) arm of which ismounted in the first bearing 50 on the carriage 5 and the opposite armof which (with connecting piece 133) forms an actuating arm.

When the adjusting lever 6 is lowered again in the rearward direction,the carriage 5 is displaced in the forward direction by an interactionof the base part 2 with the axle bolt 7 and the adjusting lever 6 thatproceeds in the reverse direction. On account of the four positions ofthe adjusting lever 6, four positions that differ in the longitudinaldirection are therefore obtained for the carriage 5. However, the factthat, with increasing distance from the baseplate 3, the slots 121.1 and121.2 are inclined slightly in the rearward direction means that thereis a smaller displacement of the carriage 5 the more the adjusting lever6 is righted. That is to say that a difference in the longitudinalpositions of the carriage 5 between a forward position and the nextposition toward the rear decreases the more the adjusting lever isrighted. Consequently, the first bearing 50, arranged at the front onthe carriage 5, always remains arranged in a region below the heel 601of the ski boot.

On an upper side of a rear region of the carriage 5, a sole holder 8 isprovided for fixing the heel 601 of the ski boot 600. This sole holder 8has at a slightly elevated position two forwardly and slightlydownwardly directed pins 140.1, 140.2, lying one next to the other.These pins 140.1, 140.2 can engage from behind in clearances in the heel601 of the ski boot 600 when said heel has been lowered completelytoward the ski, and thereby lock these pins.

If the adjusting lever 6 is aligned in the rearward direction in apivoted position parallel to the surface of the ski (locking position),the carriage 5 is consequently in a forwardmost position. In thisposition, the pins 140.1, 140.2 are in a longitudinal position at andabove the second bearing 52. In this position, the pins 140.1, 140.2 canengage in the clearances in the heel 601 of the ski boot 600 when saidheel has been lowered. Correspondingly, the heel 601 of ski boot 600 canbe fixed in this position. If the adjusting lever 6 is in the lockingposition, the automatic heel unit 1 is consequently in the downhillposition.

As already described, if the adjusting lever 6 is righted about thefirst geometrical axis of rotation 51, the carriage 5 can be displacedin three stages in the rearward direction on account of the threepivoted positions of the adjusting lever 6 that are defined by thetransverse recesses 136.1, 136.2, 136.3, 136.4, 136.5, 136.6 on the sideplates 110.1, 101.2. In this case, the first position following theforwardmost position is already shifted to such an extent in therearward direction that the pins 140.1, 140.2 can no longer engage inthe clearances of the heel 601 of the ski boot 600 when said heel islowered toward the ski 500. In the two further positions, the carriage 5is shifted still further in the rearward direction, but only to theextent that the region of the carriage with the first bearing 50 isstill arranged below the heel 601 of the ski boot. Correspondingly,these three positions of the adjusting lever 6 are referred to asrelease positions, in which the automatic heel unit 1 is in assignedclimbing positions. In the three release positions, a pair of theaforementioned offsets 134.1-134.6 has been pivoted above the firstbearing 50 into the path of movement of the heel of the ski boot in sucha way that lowering of the heel 601 of the ski boot 600 is limited bythe offsets to the corresponding height above the first bearing 50.

It should be noted that the adjusting lever 6 is represented in FIG. 11as pointing obliquely upward in the rearward direction in a first of thethree release positions, i.e. the axle bolt 7 is engaged in the rearmosttransverse recesses 136.5 at 136.6. In this position, the heel 601 ofthe ski boot 600 is released and the offsets 134.1, 134.2 arrangedclosest to the stub axles 130.1 and 130.2 form a support for the heel601 of the ski boot. By contrast, in FIG. 12 the automatic heel unit 1is represented in the downhill position, in which the adjusting lever 6is in the locking position and is aligned parallel to the surface of theski. In this position, the heel 601 of the ski boot 600 can be fixed bythe pins 140.1 and 140.2.

Along with the carriage 5, a ski brake 9 is fastened on the guide rails102.1, 102.2 at the front end of the baseplate 3, in front of thecarriage 5. Serving as fastening means is a clamp 150, which engagesaround the second main area 100.2 of the baseplate 3 and the two guiderails 102.1, 102.2 in the transverse direction of the ski. On an upperside of this clamp 150 there are two eyelets, which together define anaxis in the transverse direction of the ski. Led through each of theseeyelets is an arm 152.1, 152.2, which arms continue into braking membersof the ski brake 9. In the mounted state, the two arms 152.1, 152.2 runparallel to one another at a distance that is slightly greater than awidth of the ski 500. When the ski brake 9 is deactivated, as shown herein FIG. 11, these two arms 152.1, 152.2 run parallel to the ski. On theother hand, when the ski brake 9 is activated, they point obliquelydownward in the rearward direction beyond an underside of the ski 500 onboth sides of the ski 500 (see FIG. 17). Coming from the free ends ofthe two arms 152.1, 152.2 and continuing along the two arms 152.1,152.2, at the point of the eyelets of the sheet-metal clamp 150 botharms 152.1, 152.2 are bent inwardly at right angles in the transversedirection of the ski, parallel to the second main area 100.2 of thebaseplate 3. They run toward one another and are led from outer sidesthrough the eyelets of the sheet-metal clamp 150. This portion of thearms 152.1, 152.2 thereby forms an axis of rotation of the ski brake 9.On inner sides of the eyelets, the two arms 152.1, 152.2 are in turnbent at right angles, so that they run parallel to their free ends, butaway from them. After a short region running in this direction, they arein turn bent at right angles, toward one another. In this region, thetwo arms 152.1, 152.2 are rotatably mounted on an underside of a footplate 151. This foot plate 151 is additionally connected to theintermediate piece 4 by a righting bracket 153, formed as a wirebracket. For this purpose, the righting bracket 153 is mounted on theunderside of the foot plate 151 about an axis of rotation lying parallelto the axis of rotation of the ski brake 9.

The wire bracket 153 is connected to the front region of theintermediate piece 4 by its two arms running parallel to one another.For this purpose, the arms run almost parallel to the arms 152.1, 152.2of the ski brake 9 in the rearward direction and slightly in thedownward direction, and are mounted by free ends, which point inwardly,i.e. run toward one another, from outer sides in obliquely forwardly andupwardly aligned elongated clearances 129.1 (and 129.2, not shown) ofthe intermediate piece 4 (see FIG. 13 in this respect). The free ends ofthe righting bracket 153 are angled away inwardly at an angle of lessthan 90 degrees. The angled-away free ends are arranged in theclearances 129.1 according to the alignment thereof. The alignment ofthe clearances 129.1 and 129.2 corresponds to the position of therighting bracket 153 in the activated position of the ski brake 9 whenthe foot plate 151 has been lifted off from the ski. For thedeactivation of the ski brake 9, i.e. when it is brought into the restposition, the foot plate 151 is pressed in the downward direction,whereby the arms 152.1, 152.2 are turned into an alignment largelyparallel to the ski and are swung in toward the automatic heel unit in aknown way. This takes place for example when stepping into the binding,when a ski boot is lowered onto the foot plate 151. The free ends of therighting bracket 153 are thereby fixed in their alignment in theclearances 129.1 and 129.2 on the intermediate piece, whereby a torsionis obtained in the wire of the righting bracket 153. This torsion actscounter to the lowering of the foot plate 151 and thereby produces arighting force of the ski brake 9.

If no external force is acting on the foot plate 151 and the latter isalso not locked, the foot plate 151 is pressed in the upward directionby the spring force acting on the wire bracket 153, whereby the brakingmembers are pivoted out in the downward direction and the ski brake 9 isthus activated.

On account of the short lever arms at the free ends of the rightingbracket 153, great loads on the intermediate piece must be expected inthe region of the clearances 129.1 and 129.2. The clearances 129.1 and129.2 are therefore respectively provided with a bearing bush 122.1 and122.2, which bushes are for example made of metal and prevent wear fromoccurring at the clearances 129.1 and 129.2.

As already in FIG. 11, FIG. 12 shows an oblique view of the automaticheel unit 1, which is mounted on the ski 500. The automatic heel unit 1is shown from the same perspective in both figures. FIG. 12 shows theautomatic heel unit in the downhill position, the sole holder 8 beingrepresented without a housing 142 (the housing 142 is described on thebasis of FIG. 13). The housing 142 has not been represented in FIG. 12in order to show a first triggering mechanism 60 of the sole holder 8that makes possible a forward safety release of the ski boot 600 held inthe binding and fixed in the heel region.

In the event of a safety release in the forward direction, the heel 601of the ski boot 600 is released from the fixing by the automatic heelunit 1 in a movement in the upward or forward direction when apredetermined triggering force is overcome. The two pins 140.1, 140.2that lie one next to the other and fix the ski boot 600 are forced apartsymmetrically on account of the way in which the clearances are formedon the ski boot 600, whereby they release the heel of the boot 601. Forthis purpose, the clearances of the ski boot 600 have detent notcheswhich are directed toward a center of the boot and in which the pins140.1, 140.2 are engaged when the ski boot 600 is fixed in the binding.When there is a sufficiently great force upward/forward on the ski boot,the pins are forced out of the detent notches. As a result of the forceeffect, the heel 601 is moved in the upward direction, the pins 140.1,140.2 being able to slide out through downwardly open channels of theclearances and thus release the heel of the boot 601. Such ski boots aresufficiently well known, and are therefore not described in detail atthis point.

The required triggering force that is needed for such a safety releaseis determined by the torque with which the two pins 140.1, 140.2 arekept in their rest position. How this torque comes about is described onthe basis of the mechanics of the triggering mechanism 60 in thefollowing paragraph.

The two pins 140.1, 140.2 are each mounted pivotably about a verticalaxis of rotation in the front region of the sole holder 8, the axes ofrotation running through anchoring elements 143.1, 143.2 of the pins140.1, 140.2. These two axes of rotation are formed by two studs 141.1,141.2, which are held above and below the anchoring elements 143.1,143.2 by the housing 142 (not shown here) of the sole holder 8. Theanchoring elements 143.1, 143.2 are cylindrically formed in thedirection of the studs 141.1, 141.2 and have in a plane parallel to theski a sharkfin-like cross section. The curved front edges of thesharkfin forms are thereby made to face one another in the planeparallel to the ski. This increases a distance between the two anchoringelements 143.1, 143.2 taken from the studs 141.1, 141.2 in the rearwarddirection.

A thrust piece 145, formed as a wedge, is pressed in the forwarddirection into this intermediate space between the two anchoringelements 143.1, 143.2 from the rear by a spiral spring 144 supported onthe rear periphery of the housing 142. The thrust piece 145 consequentlyforces the anchoring elements 143.1 and 143.2 apart, whereby the pinsarranged oppositely with respect to the studs are forced toward oneanother into their rest position. So if the two pins 140.1, 140.2 arepressed apart in the event of a safety release of the first triggeringmechanism 60, the two anchoring elements 143.1, 143.2 behind the studs141.1, 141.2 are pressed toward one another. On account of the form ofthe anchoring elements 143.1, 143.2, the anchoring elements slide on thethrust piece 145 and displace the latter in the rearward direction, thespiral spring 144 being compressed. Correspondingly, the torque withwhich the two pins 140.1, 140.2 are kept in their rest position isproduced by the force of the spiral spring 144. A prestressing of thespiral spring 144 can be set by means of an adjusting screw 149.1mounted on the housing 142, so that the triggering force can be adaptedto a user (see FIG. 13 below).

FIG. 13 shows an exploded representation of the automatic heel unit 1.By analogy with FIGS. 11 and 12, designations for upper, lower, rear,front and in the longitudinal direction still relate to a ski 500 (notrepresented in FIG. 13) provided with the automatic heel unit 1. Partsalready described in FIGS. 11 and 12, such as the baseplate 3 and theintermediate piece 4, which form the base part 2, the carriage 5, theadjusting lever 6, the axle bolt 7, the sole holder 8 and the ski brake9, can be seen completely.

As can be seen from FIG. 13, the baseplate 3 has four mounting openings101.1, 101.2, 101.3, 101.4, which reach right through from its firstmain area 100.1 to its upper, second main area 100.2. These mountingopenings 101.1, 101.2, 101.3, 101.4 are distributed over the main areas100.1, 100.2 of the baseplate 3. One of the openings 101.1, 101.2,101.3, 101.4 is respectively located on both sides in a front region andin a rear region of the baseplate 3. For mounting, a screw (not shown)is led through each of the openings 101.1, 101.2, 101.3, 101.4 and isscrewed to the ski 500 (not shown here). In order to be able tocountersink the screw heads in the baseplate 3, there are clearances inthe second, upper main area 100.2 of the baseplate 3 at a rim of theseopenings 101.1, 101.2, 101.3, 101.4.

In the middle of the second main area 100.2 of the baseplate 3 there isalso a clearance 103, which runs in the longitudinal direction of thebaseplate 3 over the entire baseplate 3. This clearance 103 has asemicircular cross section, the rounding facing downward. In the fronthalf of the baseplate 3, the clearance 103 is largely smooth on theinside. In the rear half, the clearance 103 has a threaded structure104. This threaded structure 104 is aligned parallel to the longitudinaldirection of the baseplate 3 and can receive a screw thread with adiameter corresponding to the diameter of the semicircular cross sectionof the clearance 103. The functions of this clearance 103 comprise onthe one hand that of providing guidance for a longitudinal displacementof the intermediate piece 4 on the baseplate 3 and on the other hand, asdescribed further below, that of supporting the intermediate piece 4 onthe baseplate 3.

The intermediate piece 4 has an elongated form. Its underside is formedsuch that it is substantially flat and has a rectangular clearance thatis aligned in the longitudinal direction and is enclosed by theintermediate piece 4 in a frame-like manner. In a front periphery and ina rear periphery of this frame there are clearances 128.1, 128.2 on theunderside. These clearances 128.1, 128.2 are aligned in the longitudinaldirection and lead in the longitudinal direction through the entirefront periphery and rear periphery, respectively. They have asemicircular cross section, the rounding of which is aligned upward. Thefront one of these clearances 128.1 is closed off in a downwarddirection by a semicircular strip to form a circular opening 123. Withthis strip, the intermediate piece 4 is guided in the longitudinaldirection on the baseplate 3 in the smooth portion of the clearance 103.

In this case, a pushrod 124, which has a long shank with a circularcross section, is guided in the opening 123 while aligned in thelongitudinal direction. In a rear region, the pushrod 124 has a screwthread 125, which can interact with the threaded structure 104 of theclearance 103 of the baseplate 3. In an end region at the rear end ofthe pushrod 124, the pushrod 124 has a smooth region and is guided inthe clearance 128.2 of the rear periphery of the rectangular clearanceof the underside of the intermediate piece 4. In its rear end face, thepushrod 124 has a notch, at which it can be turned, for example with ascrewdriver, in such a way that the pushrod 124 can be screwed in theforward and rearward directions in the threaded structure 104 of theclearance 103 of the baseplate 3. The pushrod 124 consequently forms aspindle drive that is resiliently supported on the intermediate piece 4and by means of which a longitudinal position of the intermediate piece4 with respect to the baseplate 3 can be set.

Between the opening 123 in the front periphery of the rectangularclearance of the underside of the intermediate piece 4 and a front endof the screw thread 125 of the pushrod 124, a spiral spring 126 that canbe compressively loaded is led around the shank of the pushrod 124. Thespiral spring 126 brings about a forwardly directed spring force on theintermediate piece 4 when the intermediate piece 4 is pressed in therearward direction with respect to the baseplate 3. This resilientmounting of the intermediate piece 4 with respect to the baseplate 3makes it possible to maintain a constant distance from the sole holder 8to a front jaw (not shown), if for example the ski 500 is flexed underloading.

At the front end of the rectangular frame of the base of theintermediate piece 4, clearances in which the wire bracket 153 of theski brake 9 is mounted are provided on both sides in the lower region.By contrast with FIG. 11, also shown here are the two spring elements122.1, 122.2, which bring about a righting force on the wire bracket 153and thereby produce a force for activating the ski brake 9. Also shownhere is a plug 154, which is fitted from below onto the underside of thefoot plate 151 and thereby mounts the wire bracket 153 rotatably betweenitself and the foot plate 151.

On the rectangular frame of the base of the intermediate piece 4 thereis in the front half a formed-on support. Toward the middle of theintermediate piece 4, on this support there are the two arms 120.1,120.2, which have already been described in FIG. 11. By contrast withFIG. 11, here the form of the two slots 121.1, 121.2 of the arms 120.1,120.2 can be seen as a whole. This form is substantially a slightlyrearwardly inclined L shape. The longer arm of the L shape points in theupward direction and is at the same time slightly inclined in therearward direction. The shorter arm of the L shape is arranged in thelower region of the slots 121.1, 121.2 and extends from the connectionto the longer arm in the rearward direction and slightly in the downwarddirection. The shorter arm provides the axle bolt 7 with a latchingposition, in which the axle bolt 7 is engaged when the adjusting lever 6is in the locking position (also see in this respect FIG. 14).

In the front periphery of the support of the intermediate piece 4 thereis an opening 127 in the upper region. This opening 127 is aligned inthe longitudinal direction and has a horizontal, rectangular crosssection. Through this opening 127, the catch 10 of an actuatingmechanism of the automatic heel unit 1 is displaceably guided in thelongitudinal direction. In the representations of the figures, the catch10 is formed from a sheet-metal strip. Its forwardly pointing end isflat, i.e. aligned parallel to the ski in the longitudinal direction andguided in the opening 127. In the rearward direction, the sheet-metalstrip is bent upward, so that it points upward in the rearward directionat an angle of 45°. At the rear end of the catch 10, the sheet-metalstrip is bent in the form of a hairpin, so that the free end of thesheet-metal strip points downward in the forward direction at an angleof 45° and forms a downwardly open loop 119.

This loop 119 has a diameter in which the axle bolt 7 guided in thetransverse direction is accommodated. The loop 119 is thereby arrangedwith respect to the slots 121.1, 121.2 in such a way that the axle bolt7 guided in the slots 121.1, 121.2 can engage in the loop 119 from belowwhen it is displaced in the upward direction from a lowermost position.The loop 119 is in this case inclined to a greater extent in therearward direction than the longer arms of the slots 121.1, 121.2. As aresult, when the adjusting lever 6 is turned in the upward direction andthe axle bolt 7 is thereby displaced in the upward direction in theslots 121.1, 121.2, the catch 10 is pushed in the forward direction inthe opening 127 in the intermediate piece 4. When the adjusting lever 7is turned in the downward direction, the catch 10 is pushed oppositelyin the rearward direction (also see FIGS. 14 to 17), until it is in therearmost position and the axle bolt 7 emerges from the loop 119 in thedownward direction.

The carriage 5 with the two side plates 110.1, 110.2 can be seen wellfrom the exploded representation shown in FIG. 13. Thus, the fourindentations in the upwardly directed regions of the two side plates110.1, 110.2 can be seen. Furthermore, the lateral clearance for thecorresponding stub axle 130.2 of the adjusting lever 6 can be seen herein the side plate 110.2 facing the viewer. The clearances of the twoside plates 110.1, 110.2 are in this case downwardly open, so thatduring the assembly of the automatic heel unit the stub axles 130.1 and130.2 can be introduced into the clearances from below. Together withthe two stub axles 130.1, 130.2, the clearances of the carriage 5 formthe already described first bearing 50.

The structure of the sole holder 8 can also be seen from the explodedrepresentation shown in FIG. 13. On the rear region of the carriage 5there is a circular-cylindrical base 111, which is alignedperpendicularly to the ski, is fixedly connected to the carriage 5 andthe rear side of which is flattened in the transverse direction of theski. The housing 142 of the sole holder 8 has been fitted on this base111 with a bearing sleeve 111.1 such that it can be turned about an axisperpendicular to the ski.

On account of the rotatable mounting, the sole holder 8 can be pivotedout to the side for a sideways safety release. The control of such arelease is maintained by a second triggering mechanism 61. This secondtriggering mechanism 61 comprises a cylindrical thrust piece 146, whichis aligned in the longitudinal direction and is pressed from the rearagainst the flattened rear side of the base 111 by two spiral springs147.1, 147.2 guided one in the other. Largely by analogy with the spiralspring 144 of the first triggering mechanism 60, the spiral springs147.1, 147.2 aligned in the longitudinal direction are in this casesupported on the housing 142 of the sole holder 8. Here in FIG. 13, thestructure of this support can be seen: the spiral springs 144 as well as147.1 and 147.2 are supported on screw nuts 148.1 and 148.2,respectively. These nuts are screwed on adjusting screws 149.1, 149.2,which have been introduced into the spiral springs 144, 147.1, 147.2from the rear and the heads of which are supported on the rear wall ofthe housing 142 of the sole holder 8. Since the screw nuts 148.1, 148.2are hindered from a turning movement by the housing 8, they aredisplaceable in the longitudinal direction by turning the adjustingscrews 149.1, 149.2.

FIG. 14 shows a central cross section in the longitudinal direction ofthe automatic heel unit 1. In this representation, the adjusting lever 6is in the locking position. In this position of the adjusting lever 6, aheel 601 of a ski boot 600 can be fixed by the sole holder 8. This isillustrated by the schematic representation of the ski boot 600, in theheel 601 of which the pins 140.1 and 140.2 of the sole holder 8 engage.It can also be seen from the schematic representation of the ski boot600 that, in this position of the adjusting lever 6, the ski brake 9 isdeactivated by pressure on the foot plate 151 from above from the soleof the ski boot 600, i.e. is in the rest position.

The interaction of some of the parts described above is illustrated inFIG. 14. Thus, the resilient coupling of the intermediate part 4 to thebaseplate 3, which is achieved by means of the pushrod 124 and thespiral spring 126, can be seen here. The second triggering mechanism 61,which extends from the base 111 on the rear region of the carriage 5,can also be seen. It can also be seen that the base 111 is onlyflattened in a certain region of the rear circumferential surface,corresponding to the dimensioning of the thrust piece 146. In a regionabove the flattened portion, the base 111 again has a circular crosssection for improved mounting of the sole holder 8.

It can also be seen that the thrust piece 146 has a rearwardly openhollow space, so that the two spiral springs 147.1, 147.2 are guided inthis hollow space up to a front covering of the thrust piece 146, atwhich they are supported on the thrust piece. Moreover, the mounting ofthe adjusting screw 149.2 of the second triggering mechanism 61 in thehousing 142 of the sole holder 8 can be seen here. This mounting isconfigured in such a way that the adjusting screw 149.2 is accessiblefrom the rear to a user and can be turned, whereby the screw nut 148.2can be displaced in the longitudinal direction. This allows the strengthof the spring force acting on the base 111 to be set. In order todeflect the sole holder 8 sideways, the thrust piece must consequentlybe deflected in the rearward direction. Corresponding to the settingwith the adjusting screw 149.2, a greater or lesser lateral torque isnecessary to be able to deflect the housing 142 of the sole holder 8(triggering force).

Along with the second triggering mechanism 61, the first triggeringmechanism 60 for the forward safety release can also be seen here. Bycontrast with FIGS. 12 and 13, the mounting of the adjusting screw 149.1in the housing 142 of the sole holder 8 can likewise be seen here. Thismounting is configured in a way corresponding to the second triggeringmechanism 61, in such a way that the adjusting screw 149.1 can bereached and can be turned from the rear, whereby the screw nut 148.1 canbe displaced in the longitudinal direction. This allows the triggeringforce of the first triggering mechanism 60 to be set.

As already described, in FIG. 14 the adjusting lever 6 is in the lockingposition. Correspondingly, the axle bolt 7 is also in the lowermostposition. In this case, the axle bolt 7 is engaged at the lower end ofthe slots 121.1 and 121.2 of the intermediate piece 4 in the shorter armof the L shape. Correspondingly, the carriage 5 is in the forwardmostposition and the catch is in the position drawn back furthest in therearward direction, the deactivated position. In this case, the frontend of the catch 10 scarcely protrudes beyond the front end of theintermediate piece 4.

FIG. 15 shows a further central cross section in the longitudinaldirection of the automatic heel unit 1. By contrast with FIG. 14, herethe adjusting lever 6 is in the first of the three release positions, byanalogy with FIG. 11. Correspondingly, the adjusting lever 6 is rightedobliquely in the rearward direction and the axle bolt 7 is engaged inthe rearmost transverse recesses 136.5 and 136.6. In this case, thelowermost offsets 134.1 and 134.2 of the adjusting lever 6 have beenpivoted into the path of movement of the heel 601 of the ski boot as awalking step, such that they form a support for the heel 601 of thereleased ski boot 600 (indicated by dashed lines). The adjusting lever 6is in this case formed in such a way that it partially encloses the heelof the ski boot from the rear and from the sides. In particular, theregions of the adjusting lever 6 in which the next-higher supports 134.3and 134.4 are arranged are arranged in front of a rear end of the skiboot sole in the longitudinal direction of the ski.

In this position of the adjusting lever 6, the axle bolt 7 is in theupper region of the slots 121.1 and 121.2 of the intermediate piece 4.Correspondingly, the carriage 5 has been displaced in the rearwarddirection in comparison with the downhill position, whereby theautomatic heel unit 1 is in a climbing position. The raised position ofthe axle bolt 7 also has the effect that the catch 10 has been displacedin the forward direction over the loop 119. The front end of the catch10 then reaches beyond the front end of the intermediate piece 4 andengages in a clearance 155 in the rear end of the lowered foot plate 151of the ski brake 9. The front end of the catch 10 thereby comes to lieagainst the lower periphery of the clearance 155 in the foot plate 151and hinders upward yielding thereof on account of the righting force.Correspondingly, the ski brake 9 is locked by the catch 10 andactivation of the ski brake 9 is prevented in spite of the released heel601 of the ski boot 600.

FIG. 16 shows a further central cross section in the longitudinaldirection of the automatic heel unit 1. By contrast with FIGS. 14 and15, here the adjusting lever 6 is in the middle of the three releasepositions, in which the axle bolt 7 is engaged in the middle transverserecesses 136.3 and 136.4. Correspondingly, the adjusting lever 6 ispositioned so steeply upward that the offsets 134.3 and 134.4 that arepresent on the adjusting lever midway from the axis of rotation 51 forma support for the heel 601 of the released ski boot 600.

FIG. 17 shows a further central cross section in the longitudinaldirection of the automatic heel unit 1. As already in FIG. 14, here theadjusting lever 6 is in the locking position. As a difference from FIG.14, there is no heel 601 of the ski boot locked at the automatic heelunit. Correspondingly, the ski brake 9 has been activated and the footplate 151 has been raised in the upward direction, while the free endsof the arms 152.1 and 152.2, acting as braking members, project downwardbeyond an underside of the ski 500. In the representation of FIG. 17,the ski brake 9 is in a transitional position between the rest positionand the activated position. If the ski brake 9 is completely in theactivated position, the foot plate 151 is raised up further away fromthe ski 500 and the braking members 152.1 and 152.2 project downwardbeyond the ski 500 at a steeper angle.

FIG. 18 shows an alternative configuration of a catch 210 as anactuating element of an actuating mechanism of the automatic heel unit 1in an activated position. For a better overview, only parts of a furtherembodiment of the ski brake 209 and of the catch 210 are represented ina sectional view in the longitudinal direction. The other parts of theautomatic heel unit 1 correspond to the parts of FIGS. 11 to 17 with theminor modifications described below.

In the configuration of FIG. 18, the catch 210 is preferably formed as aplastic part that is mounted displaceably in the longitudinal directionon the intermediate piece 4, between the two side plates 110.1, 110.2.For this purpose, the catch 210 has on an underside a profile rail 211,such as for example a dovetailed strip or a T-shaped profile rail, whichengages in a corresponding groove on the intermediate piece (notrepresented in FIG. 18). The catch 210 is in this case subjected to aspring force in the forward direction by a spring 212, which isinternally arranged and can be compressively loaded, via a support 213on the intermediate piece 4. The catch 210 can consequently be deflectedin the rearward direction with respect to the intermediate piece againstthe spring force. At a front end face, the catch 210 has a wedge-shapednose 210.1, which has an upper side that is downwardly inclined in theforward direction.

At a rear end, the catch 210 has an arm 220 protruding obliquely upwardin the rearward direction by approximately 45 degrees with respect to aperpendicular to the ski and is passed through in the transversedirection of the ski by a slot 219 that is likewise aligned obliquelyupward in the rearward direction. The slot 219 is in this case inclinedto a greater extent in the rearward direction than the longer arms ofthe slots 121.1 and 121.2 of the slotted link on the intermediate piece4, and widens continuously toward an upper end.

The axle bolt 7 guided in the slots 121.1 and 121.2 passes through theslot 219 of the catch 210 (largely by analogy with the loop 119 of thecatch 10 described above). The widening of the slot 219 toward the upperend is formed in such a way that the catch 210 has been displaced allthe way forward into its activated position on account of the springforce acting on it when the axle bolt 7 is arranged at an upper end ofthe slots 121.1 and 121.2 (i.e. when the adjusting lever 6 has beenpivoted into one of the release positions). On account of the wideningof the slot 219 at the upper end, the catch 210 can yield to the springforce in the rearward direction within the limits of the widening when aforce acts from the front to the rear.

If, on the other hand, the axle bolt 7 has been displaced all the waydownward in the slots 121.1 and 121.2 (not represented), i.e. when theadjusting lever 6 is in the locking position, the catch 210 is forcedall the way rearward into a deactivated position against the springforce on account of the inclination of the slot 219. At a lower end, theslot 219 has a width that largely corresponds to the diameter of theaxle bolt 7, whereby in this position of the axle bolt 7 the catch 210is fixed by said bolt.

For fastening on the baseplate 3 of the base part 2, the ski brake 209of FIG. 18 has a base part 250, preferably made of plastic, on whichboth arms 252.1 and 252.2 of braking members of the ski brake 209 and awire bracket acting as a righting bracket 253 are mounted. The arms252.1 and 252.2 as well as the righting bracket 253 are in this caseconnected to one another by means of a foot plate 251. The ski brake 209in this case largely corresponds to the ski brake 9 described above,with the difference that the righting bracket 253 is also mounted on thebase part 250 (and not on the intermediate piece 4). The ski brake 209is consequently formed as an independent part that can be attached tothe baseplate 3 by means of the base part 250. In this case, the basepart 250 has guide grooves 250.1 and 250.2 (guide groove 250.2 cannot beseen in the sectional representation of FIG. 18), which by analogy withthe carriage 5 enclose the guide rails 102.1, 102.2 of the baseplate 3.The ski brake 209 can consequently be attached with the base part 250 onthe baseplate 3 such that it is guided displaceably in the longitudinaldirection. On a rear end face of the base part 250, two rearwardlyprotruding holding lugs 254.1 and 254.2 are also formed (holding lug254.2 cannot be seen in the sectional representation of FIG. 18), withwhich the base part 250 can be hooked into corresponding clearances ofthe intermediate piece 4 (not shown) from below. If a ski brake 250 isdesired at all, this takes place before the carriage 3 and theintermediate piece 4 are pushed onto the guide rails 102.1 and 102.2 ofthe baseplate 3 during the assembly of the automatic heel unit 1. Thisachieves the effect that the base part 250 of the ski brake 209 iscoupled to the intermediate piece 4 fixedly with respect to longitudinaldisplacement (but such that it can be released again by pulling off thecarriage 3 and the intermediate piece from the baseplate 3).Consequently, when there is an adjustment of the longitudinal positionwith respect to the baseplate 3, the ski brake 209 is displaced at thesame time by means of the spindle drive 124 described above of theintermediate piece 4 and consequently is at the same desired distancefrom the intermediate piece 4, and consequently also from the carriage 3coupled thereto on which the sole holder 8 is provided, in everylongitudinal position of the intermediate piece 4.

As a further difference from the ski brake 9, the foot plate 251 has ona rear end face a projection 255, which is beveled upwardly in therearward direction on an underside. The projection 255 is in this casearranged in such a way that the nose of the catch 210 can be broughtinto engagement with the projection 255 when the catch 210 is in theactivated position and the foot plate 251 is lowered. If the catch 210is in the activated position represented in FIG. 18, the beveledunderside of the projection 255 comes into contact with the beveledupper side of the nose 210.1 of the catch 210 during the lowering of thefoot plate 251 and displaces the catch 210 in the rearward directionagainst the spring force during the further lowering. If the projection255 arrives under the catch 210, the catch 210 snaps forward on accountof the spring force, so that it overlaps with the projection 255. In theactivated position, the catch 210 consequently provides a snap lockingfor the foot plate 151 of the ski brake 209. The activated catch 210consequently prevents the foot plate 251 from being able to be raisedagain when the foot plate 251 has been lowered—the ski brake 209 isconsequently locked in a rest position.

For the transfer into the deactivated position, the catch 210 is drawnin the rearward direction in the way described above by means of theinteraction of the axle bolt 7 with the slot 219, whereby the catch 210leaves the region of the projection 255 and, no longer overlapping withit, cannot interact with it. The foot plate 251 is consequently nolonger locked and can be raised by the spring force of the rightingbracket, whereby the ski brake 209 can go into the activated position ifthe foot plate is not otherwise blocked (for example by a boot held inthe binding)—the ski brake 209 is consequently unlocked or released.

This configuration of the catch 210 consequently ensures that the footplate 251 of the ski brake 209 can be locked without any risk of damageto the actuating element, even if the catch 210 is already in theactivated position, when the foot plate 251 is for example lowered bystepping into a binding.

The invention is not restricted to the first automatic heel unit 11shown here and the second automatic heel unit 1 shown here. Variousmodifications thereof are possible. As shown in FIGS. 19 a and 19 b, forexample, an automatic heel unit 550 according to the invention can alsobe brought from the downhill position into the at least one climbingposition by the heel holder 552 being turned about a substantiallyvertical axis, in order that the holding means 553.1, 553.2 can nolonger interact with the heel of the ski boot. For this purpose, theautomatic heel unit 550 may be formed for example as described in EP 0199 098 A2 (Barthel). However, in this case the substantially verticalaxis should be arranged either on the carriage or else on the baseelement (551), so that, in the downhill position, the carriage ismovable along the dynamic region.

To sum up, it can be stated that an automatic heel unit that increasesthe safety for a skier is provided.

1. An automatic heel unit for a ski binding, in particular a ski-touringbinding, with a base element for mounting the automatic heel unit on theupper side of a ski and a carriage which is mounted on the base elementand on which there is arranged a heel holder with two holding means forholding a ski boot in a heel region of the ski boot, wherein the twoholding means are pins, which are aligned substantially in thelongitudinal direction of the ski and as a result can engage in at leastone corresponding opening in the heel region of the ski boot a) whereinthe automatic heel unit has a downhill position, in which the at leastone holding means can interact with the heel region of the ski boot heldin the ski binding in such a way that the ski boot is arrested in alowered position, b) and the automatic heel unit has at least oneclimbing position, in which the heel region of the ski boot held in theski binding is released, characterized in that, in the downhillposition, the carriage with the heel holder is movable with respect tothe base element in the longitudinal direction of the ski along adynamic region and is acted upon by an elastic element with a forwardlydirected force and is pressed in the direction of a front end of thedynamic region.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The automatic heel unit as claimed inclaim 1, characterized by at least one holding element, which is mountedon the heel holder rotatably about an axis aligned substantially in thelongitudinal direction of the ski, the at least one holding means beingarranged on the at least one holding element at a distance from astraight line defined by the axis aligned substantially in thelongitudinal direction of the ski, and as a result is pivotablesubstantially in the transverse direction of the ski about the axisaligned substantially in the longitudinal direction of the ski.
 4. Theautomatic heel unit as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that theautomatic heel unit comprises at least two holding elements, on each ofwhich at least one holding means is arranged.
 5. The automatic heel unitas claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the holding elements havean elongated, lever-like form and are mounted on the heel holder suchthat they are aligned substantially vertically.
 6. The automatic heelunit as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that a) the holding meansare respectively arranged in a first region at a first end of theholding elements, in that b) the axes of the holding elements that arealigned substantially in the longitudinal direction of the ski arerespectively arranged in a middle region of the holding elements, and inthat c) the holding elements respectively have a second region at asecond end of the holding elements, the second region being respectivelyarranged on a side of the middle region that is opposite from the firstregion.
 7. The automatic heel unit as claimed in claim 4, characterizedin that the automatic heel unit comprises precisely two holdingelements, on each of which a holding means is arranged.
 8. The automaticheel unit as claimed in claim 7, characterized by a ram, which caninteract with the second regions of the holding elements and which canbe subjected to a force applied by an elastic element, so that a torqueacting on the holding elements can be produced.
 9. (canceled)
 10. Theautomatic heel unit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that theheel holder is rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular tothe ski and, a) in the downhill position, the heel holder is turnedabout the axis substantially perpendicular to the ski into an alignmentparallel to the ski, whereby the at least one holding means can interactwith the heel region of the ski boot held in the ski binding in such away that the ski boot is arrested in a lowered position and b) in the atleast one climbing position, the heel holder is turned away from analignment parallel to the ski about the axis substantially perpendicularto the ski, so that the heel region of the ski boot held in the skibinding is released.
 11. The automatic heel unit as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that a) in the downhill position, the carriage has beendisplaced together with the heel holder in the forward direction withrespect to the base element, whereby the at least one holding means caninteract with the heel region of the ski boot held in the ski binding insuch a way that the ski boot is arrested in a lowered position and b) inthe at least one climbing position, the carriage has been displacedtogether with the heel holder with respect to the base element into arearward position in such a way that the heel region of the ski bootheld in the ski binding is released.
 12. The automatic heel unit asclaimed in claim 11, characterized by an intermediate piece which isdisplaceable with respect to the base element in the longitudinaldirection of the ski, is acted upon by an elastic element with aforwardly directed force with respect to the base element and on whichthe carriage is displaceably mounted, wherein the carriage a) isdisplaced into a rearward position with respect to the intermediatepiece in the at least one climbing position and b) is displaced into aforward position with respect to the intermediate piece in the downhillposition and is movable together with the intermediate piece withrespect to the base element in the longitudinal direction of the skialong the dynamic region.
 13. The automatic heel unit as claimed inclaim 11, characterized by an adjusting lever, which has a downhillposition and at least one climbing position, wherein, by positioning theadjusting lever in the downhill position, the automatic heel unit can bebrought into the downhill position and, by positioning the adjustinglever in one of the at least one climbing positions, it can be broughtinto the corresponding one of the at least one climbing positions. 14.The automatic heel unit as claimed in claim 13, characterized in thatthe adjusting lever is mounted on the base element pivotably about anaxis of rotation oriented horizontally in the transverse direction ofthe ski.
 15. The automatic heel unit as claimed in claim 11,characterized in that the adjusting lever has a support for the heelregion of the ski boot that has been pivoted into the path of movementof the heel region when the adjusting lever is positioned in acorresponding one of the at least one climbing positions and, as aresult, limits lowering of the heel region of the ski boot toward theski.
 16. The automatic heel unit as claimed in claim 11, characterizedby a ski brake with a braking member, which comprises a rest positionand a braking position, the braking member being assigned an actuatingmember, which can be actuated in such a way that the braking member goesover from the braking position into the rest position when the heelregion of the ski boot is lowered toward the ski when stepping into thebinding, wherein, in the climbing position, the braking member of theski brake can be kept in the rest position by a holding mechanism, by afirst element of the holding mechanism that is arranged on the baseelement and a second element of the holding mechanism that is arrangedon the ski brake interacting, wherein the ski brake is arranged on thecarriage, whereby a) in the downhill position, the ski brake togetherwith the carriage is pushed in the forward direction and the firstelement and the second element are at a distance from one another and b)in the at least one climbing position, the ski brake together with thecarriage is pushed into the rearward position, whereby the first elementand the second element can interact.